An Iranian cargo vessel is currently navigating through the Strait of Hormuz despite the US’s restrictions on Iranian ports along this crucial trade pathway. The Shoja 2 ship set sail from the Shahid Rajaee Port close to Bandar Abbas, as per Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. It is en route to the Port of Kandla in India.
The flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted since Iran shut down the route in response to joint US-Israeli military actions that began on February 28. The US has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait to pressure Iran into reopening the passage and addressing peace negotiation requests, despite a temporary ceasefire.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this strait has significantly impacted global markets, leading to a surge in oil prices.
A recent video released by the US Central Command captured the moment US marines boarded an Iranian tanker after allegedly causing damage to its engine room. The footage showed marines descending from a US aircraft onto the Iranian tanker as it approached the Strait of Hormuz.
While there is no independent verification of the cargo ship’s movement through the strait, Al Jazeera news agency reported that marine tracking data from MarineTraffic indicates that the vessel is currently navigating within the strait on its way to India.
MarineTraffic data confirms that the Shoja 2 is headed for India.
