Japanese-related tanker makes first passage through Strait of Hormuz to Japan

Amid stalled negotiations between Iran and the United States over ending hostilities, Iranian media reported that a vessel linked to Japan has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively been blockaded. This marks the first time since the strait's de facto blockade began that a ship managed by Japanese companies has directly traversed the strait en route to Japan.

Iran’s state-run English-language media outlet, "Press TV," reported on the 28th that the large oil tanker "Idemitsu Maru," carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, had passed through the Strait of Hormuz after receiving permission from Iranian authorities. A Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated: "The Japanese government did not pay any transit fees to Iran."

The "Idemitsu Maru" passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the 28th and entered the international waters of the Gulf of Oman. It is believed to have been fully loaded with crude oil. A senior Japanese government official said: "This is the result of diplomatic efforts by the Japanese government."

According to location data from the maritime tracking website "MarineTraffic," the crude oil tanker "Idemitsu Maru," owned by a subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The "Idemitsu Maru" is a large oil tanker owned by a subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan, built in 2007, measuring over 330 meters in length. The company states that the vessel can carry approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil and typically transports Middle Eastern crude oil to Japan.

Tasnim News Agency, close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reported on the 28th that a super-large crude oil tanker owned by Japan’s Idemitsu Corporation is currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz following coordination with Iranian authorities. According to reports, the vessel carried about 2 million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia.

The ship had been docked in Saudi Arabia since late February but departed on the 17th of this month, with its destination being Nagoya, Japan.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has held multiple phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging the lifting of Iran’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. On the morning of March 22, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a joint press interview: "We have not (fully) blocked the strait; rather, we are restricting vessels hostile to Iran." He specifically mentioned Japan, stating: "After consultations with Japan, we are willing to allow Japanese-linked vessels to pass, and we have already begun discussions with Japan on temporarily lifting the blockade." Meanwhile, on March 22, during an appearance on Fuji Television, when asked whether Japan would refrain from taking unilateral action to exit the Strait of Hormuz ahead of others, Foreign Minister Motegi replied: "That is basically our direction."

At the time, Motegi refrained from mentioning unilateral negotiations with Iran that might allow Japanese ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, likely due to concerns about provoking the United States, fearing that such independent moves might tread on the "tail of the tiger" — i.e., provoke the U.S., which is currently engaged in intense confrontation with Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump, in a speech on April 1 regarding the situation in Iran, stated: "Countries receiving oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz must protect this waterway themselves. They should go to the Strait of Hormuz personally, obtain their own oil, and be responsible for protection and use." He added: "Let South Korea do it, let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from (the Strait of Hormuz)."

Trump’s remarks are likely interpreted as giving green light for countries like Japan to negotiate independently and pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command announced on April 12 that, due to the breakdown of U.S.-Iran negotiations, under measures announced by President Trump, all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports will be blocked starting at 10 a.m. New York time (11 p.m. Japan time) on the 13th. However, vessels traveling to or from ports other than Iranian ones via the Strait of Hormuz will not be impeded in their freedom of navigation.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1863801249534985/

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