US President Donald Trump said Washington has “full control” of the Strait of Hormuz and called the ongoing naval blockade a “tremendous success.” However, according to a Financial Times report, at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have managed to bypass restrictions and continue operations in the region since the start of the US blockade.Earlier this week on Tuesday, Trump, in an interview with CNBC, emphasized the effectiveness of the strategy, saying: “The blockade has been a tremendous success. They said two days ago, ‘We’re going to open the Strait.’ And I said, ‘No, we’re not going to open the Strait until we get a final deal…’.”
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He added: “We are in complete control of the strait, just as you understand,” explaining that the blockade will remain in place until a “final agreement” is reached with Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important passages, handling a large share of global oil trade.
Is Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “successful”?
The United States imposed the blockade on April 13, targeting all ships entering or leaving Iranian coastal waters, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.The restrictions were further expanded on April 16 to include Iranian ships operating on the high seas and ships suspected of carrying goods that could aid Iran’s war effort.
This step comes as part of a broader attempt by Washington to pressure Tehran to enter into negotiations.According to US Central Command, the Navy has already directed at least 28 ships to return toward Iranian ports since the start of the blockade. US forces also seized a container ship in the Gulf of Oman and boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring efforts to enforce the embargo.
34 tankers, revenues of $910 million
However, data from marine tracking company Vortexa points to a more complex reality on the ground.
Despite US claims of tight control, at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have managed to bypass the blockade. Of these ships, 19 ships exited the Gulf while 15 entered, indicating continued ship movement despite the tightened restrictions.Among the ships that infiltrated were several ships carrying Iranian crude oil. The report stated that at least six tankers were confirmed to be transporting about 10.7 million barrels of oil.Given that Iranian crude is typically sold at a discount to Brent crude prices, this volume could translate into revenues of about $910 million for Tehran.
How do these tankers escape the siege?
One of the most notable ships is the Iranian-flagged supertanker Dorina, which is said to have avoided detection by turning off its transponder, a device used to indicate a ship’s identity and location.Satellite images analyzed by the Financial Times in March showed the ship conducting a ship-to-ship transfer near Malaysia, a common tactic used to hide the source of oil shipments.
The tanker was last tracked off the southern coast of India.Other sanctioned ships, including the Murlikishan and Alicia, also moved through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf, despite US restrictions. Washington imposed sanctions on the two ships last year, but they are still able to sail in disputed waters.The situation in the strait has become increasingly volatile, with Iran asserting its control over the waterway.
Tehran insists that all ships must follow specific routes set by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and obtain prior approval before passing. Iranian authorities briefly declared the strait “fully open,” but later clarified that access would be conditional.Tensions further escalated after Iranian forces opened fire on several ships, including a French container ship and an Indian tanker, on April 18.
These incidents led to a sharp decline in maritime traffic, with many ships returning or remaining anchored in the Gulf amid increasing security concerns.Iran also seized two ships on April 22, one of which was bound for Gujarat, raising concerns about the safety of shipping through the vital energy corridor.According to a Financial Times report, shipowners also described the situation as a “double blockade,” with the US Navy enforcing on one side and Iranian restrictions on the other.
Overlapping controls have created uncertainty, forcing many operators to halt or delay transit through the region.These developments come even as diplomatic efforts continue. Trump recently announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire to allow time for a “unified proposal” from Iran. However, Tehran did not officially recognize the extension and criticized the US blockade as “unacceptable,” raising doubts about the future of the negotiations.
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How effective are US forces in enforcing the embargo?