2 tankers turn back near Hormuz after US blockade takes effect

Two tankers changed course and turned back near the Strait of Hormuz after the US began enforcing a naval blockade targeting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the strategic waterway.

According to real-time ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, both vessels altered course shortly after approaching the strait.

The Malawi-flagged Rich Starry, a 188-meter oil and chemical products tanker, departed from the Sharjah anchorage area in the Persian Gulf in the United Arab Emirates and turned back within minutes of nearing the strait. The vessel had left the anchorage earlier Monday and listed China as its destination.

A second tanker, the Botswana-flagged Ostria, a 175-meter vessel, also changed course and began returning after approaching the Strait of Hormuz.

The US blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports began at 1400GMT on Monday.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the naval blockade would be enforced “impartially” against ships of all countries entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including those in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

*Writing by Mucahithan Avcioglu in Istanbul