The Strait of Hormuz has become the stage of a very tense geopolitical tug of war. With the naval blockade imposed by the Trump administration against Iran coming into force, maritime monitoring data describes a scenario of chaos, emergency maneuvers and open challenges to American sanctions. “Vice President JD Vance did a good job in the negotiations with Iran” said Donald Trump, underlining that the critical point of the negotiations was the nuclear issue. «The other party called» and wants «an agreement. We were called this morning by the right people and they want to work on an agreement,” he added without naming Iran.
The “challenge” of the “shadow fleet”
Shortly before the blockade became operational this afternoon, the tanker Elpis crossed the Strait. According to Kpler data, the ship — registered in the Comoros and partially loaded — is not a new name for Western intelligence. It was already sanctioned by the US in 2025 and directly involved in the transport of Iranian crude oil as part of the so-called “shadow fleet”. Its passage, which took place at a hair’s breadth, appears to be a last successful attempt to evade the restrictions before the total closure.
U-turns and ships adrift
The entry into force of the provision instead took other vessels by surprise, forced to make rapid and drastic manoeuvres: the ‘Ostrià’ (Botswana flag), according to a CNN analysis based on Kpler data, reversed course just 41 minutes after the deadline set by Washington. While he was between Oman and the United Arab Emirates, he suddenly changed his intended destination. The ‘Rich Starry’ radioed that it was “adrift” off Qeshm Island. MarineTraffic data confirms that the tanker, also subject to sanctions, reversed course during the approach to the Strait, effectively paralyzing its journey.
The case of ‘Paya Lebar’
In this scenario of blockades and retreats, the BBC has identified what appears to be the first ship to have crossed the Strait under the new sanctions regime: the container ship Paya Lebar. Having left India and headed for Dubai, the ship continued its journey despite the ban imposed on units linked to ports or Iranian interests. It remains to be seen whether its transit will be contested by the American authorities or whether it will be considered outside the specific restrictions of the blockade.