The superyacht of an oligarch close to Putin was allowed by the US and Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
A superyacht linked to the name of Alexei Mordasov, a Russian billionaire under international sanctions, managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to maritime traffic monitoring data, despite severe restrictions imposed in the area in recent months, Reuters reports.
The vessel named “Nord” – a 142-meter yacht valued at more than $500 million – left Dubai on Friday afternoon, crossed the strait on Saturday morning and arrived in Muscat on Sunday, the MarineTraffic platform said.
Unusual passage through an almost blocked route
It is not clear under what conditions the superyacht obtained permission to use this seaway. Since late February, Iran has severely restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the oil traded globally normally passes.
Alexei Mordasov is close to Vladimir Putin PHOTO President of Russia
Currently, only a handful of merchant ships manage to transit the area each day, a fraction of the 125–140 regular crossings before the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on February 28. In response, the United States instituted a blockade on Iranian ports.
A representative of Mordasov refused to comment on the situation, according to Reuters.
Moscow and Tehran have increasingly close relations
Russia and Iran have strengthened cooperation in recent years, including through a treaty signed in 2025 that strengthens cooperation in the field of security and information sharing.
On Monday, April 27, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin after meetings with mediators from Pakistan and Oman.
Who controls the yacht “Nord”
Although Alexei Mordasov is not officially listed as the owner, Russian maritime data and corporate documents from 2025 show that the vessel was registered in 2022 in the name of a company owned by his wife.
The company is registered in the Russian city of Cioropoveț, the same place where the headquarters of the steel producer Severstal, controlled by Mordașov, is located.
“Nord” is considered one of the largest yachts in existence, being equipped with 20 cabins, a swimming pool, a heliport and even a mini-submarine, according to the specialist publication Superyacht Times.
