Tehran is reportedly considering the use of alternative ports to reroute maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz in response to a US naval blockade, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The report did not specify the locations of these ports, stating only that they are believed to be situated in the country’s southern regions.
The move comes amid signs that the blockade’s enforcement may not be absolute. Maritime tracking data on Tuesday showed that at least three vessels departing Iranian ports successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite the restrictions. However, some ships attempting the passage were later seen reversing course.
Data from maritime intelligence provider Kpler indicated that at least seven Iran-linked vessels transited the strait after Washington’s blockade took effect at 1400 GMT on Monday.
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Among them was the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna, which had offloaded 74,000 tonnes of corn at Bandar Imam Khomeini before passing near Larak Island around 1600 GMT.
Another vessel, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was tracked near Larak Island at approximately 1100 GMT and cleared the strait later that afternoon. The tanker was carrying 31,000 tonnes of methanol, having departed from the Iranian port of Bushehr on March 31. The Argo Maris, also linked to Iran, was among other ships that managed the crossing.
Iranian forces had effectively shut down the strait following the outbreak of war triggered by joint US and Israeli strikes on February 28.
Meanwhile, in response to stalled ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan, US President Donald Trump had announced a formal naval blockade on Sunday, targeting Iranian ports along the strategic waterway.
Earlier today, US Central Command claimed that the blockade had been “fully implemented”, adding that American forces “have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea”.
However, maritime tracking data painted a less clear-cut picture, indicating that several ships sailing from Iranian ports had crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade.
(With inputs from agencies)
