The U.S. military has intervened outside the strait's entrance, with numerous oil tankers abruptly turning back—this scene is truly chilling!
On April 13, the U.S. Central Command immediately issued a statement: the blockade officially took effect at 22:00 Beijing time on the 13th, targeting all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports, encompassing all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea.
Upon the announcement, the global shipping industry was thrown into turmoil. Ship tracking data revealed that the ultra-large oil tanker "Agios Fanourios I," flying the Maltese flag, suddenly made a sharp turn when attempting to enter the Persian Gulf. According to shipping data obtained by Reuters, this vessel had originally planned to sail to Iraq to load Basra crude oil but abandoned its port entry plan just before the blockade took effect and is now waiting in standby near the Oman Sea.
Meanwhile, two other tankers rapidly turned around after approaching the narrow chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz. The "Rich Starry" made a U-turn minutes after nearing a critical section of the strait. Similarly, the "Ostria" executed an emergency turn upon nearing the strait. This scene vividly illustrates the real risks of the Hormuz Strait—shipowners would rather abandon business than take any chance. Notably, several hours later, the "Rich Starry" restarted its engines and attempted passage again, indicating that the U.S. military’s interception is not continuous or comprehensive, revealing shipowners’ constant weighing of risk versus profit.
Three large tankers with no direct ties to Iran began approaching the narrow waterway of the Oman Sea late on the 11th. By early morning on the 12th, after reaching the vicinity of Iran’s Larak Island, two of them suddenly turned back. One, managed by Greece’s Eastern Mediterranean Shipping Company, was originally headed for Iraq; the second, belonging to Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, was destined for the UAE. The third tanker continued along the route designated by Iran and successfully passed through the waters between Larak Island and Qeshm Island into the Persian Gulf.
Three tankers attempted to pass through together—two turned back, one succeeded. This outcome itself speaks volumes: the U.S. blockade is not bluffing, and shipowners have already made their most honest judgment. To me, this scene is utterly absurd—the warring parties, without prior agreement, are simultaneously blocking the strait—an unprecedented occurrence in history.
The British side has clearly stated it will not participate in the blockade operation. Multiple countries have also voiced opposition to the U.S. “blockade order.” So far, the standoff appears poised to escalate further. The U.S. military has dispatched minesweepers to the strait, while Iran has ominously declared, “We’ve forgotten where we buried the mines.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862414291546112/
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