Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that three oil tankers and two ships carrying essential goods successfully crossed through a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. If confirmed, it would mark one of the more significant challenges to American enforcement operations that have been in place since mid-April 2026.
What’s happening in the Strait
The US naval blockade was implemented around April 13, 2026, following the collapse of diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran. The goal was straightforward: disrupt Iranian shipping activities and apply maximum economic pressure.
US Central Command has been actively enforcing the blockade, intercepting dozens of vessels and seizing assets. Among the documented seizures is the Touska tanker.
But Iran has pushed back, both physically and rhetorically. Tasnim, which is closely affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, named specific vessels it says completed transit, including tankers called Alicia and Shahrokh 2.
