Data from the shipping tracking firm Vortexa found that at least 34 Iranian ships have bypassed the US blockade since President Donald Trump imposed it on April 13. The US has only stopped two Iranian ships.
Trump has argued that his blockade is a tremendous success and has put the government in Tehran on the brink of collapse. “Iran is collapsing financially! They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid,” the President wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.
Vortexa’s data shows that the Iranian tankers that have broken the US blockade were carrying over 10 million barrels of oil.
Trump initially imposed the blockade as a response to Iran seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran gained control of the Strait after the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. Iran has allowed vessels from friendly nations to transit the waterway after paying a toll.
Last week, Israel agreed to halt its attacks on Lebanon. Tehran said the truce in Lebanon meant that Washington had fulfilled its commitments under the ceasefire and the Strait would be open to all commercial traffic. However, Trump said he would not reciprocate by removing the US blockade of Iranian ports, and Tehran reclosed the Strait.
On Wednesday, President Trump said the blockade would remain in place until Iran agrees to a deal. Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not open the Strait until the US blockade is lifted.
