According to Kpler, two vessels successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz after departing from Iran despite U.S. blockades. The U.S. military stated that no ships breached the blockade during the first 24 hours of the operation to seal off Iranian ports; the U.S. is committed to ensuring smooth passage for non-Iranian vessels traveling to and from the strait. U.S. media reported that five out of six returning ships were carrying oil, and no shots were fired during the U.S. naval blockade. Iranian media claimed that Trump’s remarks on Monday regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz did not align with reality. Analysts noted that the U.S. naval blockade appeared to comply with the rules of naval warfare.
Recent reports indicate that although the Trump administration claims to have initiated a 'blockade order' on Iranian ports, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz does not appear to have been completely obstructed.
On Tuesday, August 14, Eastern Time, according to CCTV News, Kpler, a company that monitors maritime traffic, announced that two vessels departed from Iran and successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite facing a blockade by the United States.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on social media on Tuesday that more than 10,000 personnel from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, along with over ten warships and dozens of aircraft, are carrying out operations to blockade vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports.
Also according to Xinhua News Agency, President Trump confirmed on Monday that the U.S. military had begun implementing a blockade on all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Monday, August 13.
A post released by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday revealed that no vessels successfully broke through the U.S. blockade within the first 24 hours of the operation targeting Iranian ports. Six merchant vessels complied with U.S. military orders and turned back, returning to an Iranian port along the coast of the Gulf of Oman.
The post explained that this blockade applies strictly to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, covering all Iranian ports along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. At the same time, the U.S. military is committed to maintaining freedom of navigation, ensuring that vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports can pass smoothly.
Subsequently, a U.S. official told the American press that, within the first 24 hours of the blockade on Iranian ports, the U.S. military issued warnings to six vessels, ordering them to stop and return because they violated the blockade regulations. All six ships eventually returned. Five of these ships were carrying oil, and two were ordered to return within the first two hours after the blockade began. So far, the U.S. military has not fired any shots or conducted onboard inspections.
According to another American media report, U.S. officials stated that the U.S. Navy is currently not providing escorts for any vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, assurances regarding safe passage through the channel have been communicated to merchant ships, and passage is encouraged. The United States has not imposed a full blockade on the strait but is only enforcing a blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports along Iran's entire coastline.
Iranian media claimed that Trump's remarks on Monday regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz were inconsistent with the actual situation.
Xinhua News Agency previously reported that on Monday, Trump stated that 34 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the 12th, which was last Sunday. He also claimed that 'other countries will assist' the United States in blockading Iranian ports but did not specify which nations. He only indicated that the U.S. might announce relevant details on the 14th.
However, according to reports from Iranian media on Tuesday, Trump’s statement regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz does not align with the actual situation.
The report noted that based on some on-site information and unofficial analysis, navigation in this area remains significantly restricted. Due to regional security concerns, vessel traffic has decreased, and some shipping companies have considered rerouting due to rising risks. Analysts believe that Trump's remarks should be viewed as statements serving public opinion and political needs rather than an accurate reflection of reality.
Analysts suggest that the U.S. Navy’s blockade appears to comply with the rules of naval warfare.
According to U.S. media reports on Tuesday, an analyst pointed out that the blockade implemented by the U.S. Navy on the Strait of Hormuz seems to conform to the rules of naval warfare.
The media noted that unlike Trump's previous announcement of a complete shutdown of the entire strait, the wording of the blockade notice issued by the U.S. Central Command on Tuesday was much more cautious, applying only to vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports.
The media mentioned that Alexander Lott, a research professor at the Norwegian Center for the Law of the Sea at the Arctic University of Norway, stated: 'This appears to be a legitimate blockade. The commencement of the blockade operation has been communicated to all relevant parties and even the entire world.'
Lott said that once a vessel violates the blockade regulations, such as departing from an Iranian port, the U.S. Navy will order the ship to halt. If necessary, U.S. forces will attempt to board and seize the vessel. If the ship refuses to comply with orders, the U.S. is authorized to use force.
The media pointed out that whether this blockade proves effective—whether the U.S. Navy can successfully intercept vessels—remains to be seen. Although several Iranian vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, no ships traveling to or from Iranian ports have appeared since the blockade notice was issued.
Editor/Liam