British media: At least 26 Iranian shipping vessels break through US military blockade

Xinhua News Agency, London, April 20 (Reporter Gao Wencheng) According to the British shipping media "Lloyd's List" report on the 20th, at least 26 vessels related to Iranian shipping have breached the U.S. military blockade.

The report stated that since the U.S. military implemented a blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports on the 13th, among the ships that breached the blockade are 11 oil tankers carrying Iranian goods. Since the U.S. military expanded the scope of the blockade on Iranian shipping materials last week, more than 10 vessels have successfully crossed the blockade area. In addition, a bulk carrier owned by a Greek shipowner departed from an Iranian port on the 15th and passed through the blockade line on the 19th.

On the 17th, Iran announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but on the 18th, it announced that, given the U.S. had not lifted its maritime blockade against Iran, it would resume control over the passage through the Strait of Hormuz. On the 19th, the U.S. military forcibly intercepted and took control of an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian military accused the U.S. of openly violating the ceasefire agreement.

"Lloyd's List" previously quoted analysts as saying that the announcement and execution of the U.S. blockade policy revealed that it was not a well-considered strategy, "its essence is a makeshift arrangement as events unfold."