The first non-Iranian oil tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz is under the Gabon flag
An oil tanker registered under the flag of Gabon passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, April 9. It is the first crossing by a non-Iranian ship since the ceasefire between Tehran and the United States was announced, according to data provided by maritime monitoring platform MarineTraffic.
Iran allows 15 ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz daily .PHOTO Shutterstock
The tanker MSG has passed through the strait carrying about 7,000 tons of fuel oil from the United Arab Emirates and is heading to the Aegis Pipavav terminal in India, Ansa agency notes.
According to the data of the Kpler company, which owns MarineTraffic, only two Iranian oil tankers and six bulk carrier vessels have crossed the area since the announcement of the ceasefire.
The crossing of a non-Iranian merchant ship marks a significant moment in the context of recent tensions in the region and the vulnerability of maritime traffic through one of the world's most strategic energy routes.
We remind you that Iran announced on Thursday, April 9, that it will allow the passage of a maximum of 15 ships per day through the Strait of Hormuz, after having previously completely blocked the maritime corridor. The decision was made public by a senior Iranian official to the TASS agency and cited by Reuters.
The move is part of the two-week temporary truce agreed with the United States, which allows for the resumption of naval transit while creating a window for diplomatic negotiations.
The limit to 15 ships a day is meant to give Iranian authorities control over the traffic, while reflecting the fragility of the deal and lingering regional tensions.
We remind you that previously, in retaliation to the US and Israeli attacks on February 28, Iran had completely blocked the Strait of Hormuz, with more than 200 ships remaining stuck in the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz, only 34 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, between the coasts of Iran and Oman, is vital to the global economy, as about 20% of the world's oil and important quantities of chemical fertilizers and other products essential to the world's economy pass through this corridor.
The US has proposed a temporary truce with Iran, which came into effect overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, which included, among other things, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.
But Israel's massive attacks in Lebanon put the deal at risk, and on Wednesday, April 8, Iran threatened to completely block the Strait of Hormuz again, disrupting the stability of maritime traffic and the security of supplies of oil and other essential products to international markets.
On Thursday, however, he changed his mind and announced that he would allow 15 ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz daily.
