Sanctioned tanker turns back to Strait of Hormuz, day after Gulf exit

‌The U.S.-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry made its way back ​to the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) after exiting the ⁠Gulf the day before, shipping data showed, failing to break through a U.S. blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday (April 12, 2026) after weekend ‌peace talks in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal.

“During the first 24 hours, no ships ‌made it past the U.S. blockade,” the U.S. Central Command said on ‌X, ⁠adding that six vessels complied with directions from U.S. forces to ⁠turn around to re-enter an Iranian port. The Chinese-owned tanker was among at least eight ships crossing the waterway on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), the first day of the U.S. blockade. A U.S. destroyer stopped ​two oil tankers attempting to ‌leave the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), a U.S. official said.