An Iranian cargo vessel is currently traversing the Strait of Hormuz despite US restrictions on Iranian ports along the strategic trade pathway. The Shoja 2 cargo ship set sail from the Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. Its destination is the Port of Kandla in India.
Tensions in the area escalated after Iran shut down the vital trade route in response to joint US-Israeli military actions that commenced on February 28. Although a temporary ceasefire was declared, the US has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports within the strait to pressure Iran into reopening the passage and meeting diplomatic demands for peace talks.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil trade flows through the narrow Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this passage has significantly impacted global markets, leading to a surge in oil prices.
Recently released footage by the US Central Command depicted US Marines boarding an Iranian tanker following an alleged incident of damaging the vessel’s engine room. The video captured Marines descending from a US aircraft onto the Iranian tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.
While there is no independent verification of the cargo ship’s transit through the strait, Al Jazeera news agency cited marine tracking data from MarineTraffic, indicating that the ship is currently navigating within the strait. MarineTraffic data confirms that the Shoja 2 is en route to India.