At least four Iran-linked ships, including two that had recently visited Iranian ports, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, just one day after the United States began its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Defying the Blockade: According to Kpler, two Iranian ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade. A direct maritime challenge to ongoing American restrictions. 🇮🇷🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/h9xMPafXTY
— VPX (@VPX_Press) April 14, 2026
According to maritime tracking data, at least three other vessels also transited the strategic waterway despite the blockade.
The US move, which took effect on Monday at 10am ET, aims to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports in response to the collapse of weekend talks in Islamabad. US Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of “economic terrorism” and warned that “two can play at that game.”
The US military has clarified that the blockade will not impede vessels using the strait to reach non-Iranian ports.
China strongly condemned the blockade, with its foreign ministry calling it “dangerous and irresponsible” and warning that it will only exacerbate regional tensions.
Iran has described the US action as a violation of its sovereignty and an act of “piracy,” vowing to defend its territorial waters.
The developments come amid a fragile ceasefire that has held since last week, though tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
In related international news:
- Italy has decided not to renew its defence agreement with Israel, according to Italian media reports.
- Direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to take place in the United States later this week — the first such negotiations in decades.
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