On Monday morning at 10 o’clock, the US military began to block the Strait of Hormuz and other Iranian ports. At least two oil/chemical ships related to China turned back from the strait.
According to CBS News, MarineTraffic, a maritime analysis company, reported that a tanker named “Rich Starry,” previously claiming to be headed to China, turned around and left the strait about 20 minutes after the blockade began. The ship flew the flag of Malawi.
Malawi is a landlocked country, so the ship belongs to a flag of convenience.
At the same time, according to MarineTraffic, another Chinese ship, the ‘Ostria,’ also carrying some oil/chemicals and flying a flag of Botswana, another landlocked African country, left the strait.
The US Central Command warned on Monday that the blockade on Iran applies to all ships, regardless of their flagged country.
Two US officials informed Fox News that before the blockade took effect, the Central Command had issued notices to sailors in the region. The notice stated, “Any vessel entering or leaving the blockade area without authorization will face interception, interception, and detention.”
The notice also pointed out, “The blockade will not hinder neutral vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to destinations outside of Iran.”
According to the Central Command’s notice, the blockade encompasses the “entire Iranian coastline,” and “humanitarian goods transport, including food, medical supplies, and other essential items, will be allowed but subject to inspection.”