Washington’s naval blockade of Iran had barely taken effect when a sanctioned tanker put it to the test. The Rich Starry, a Chinese-owned vessel blacklisted by the US in 2023, sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday — and it wasn’t even the ship’s first attempt.
Shipping data confirmed the transit, marking the tanker’s second push through the strategic waterway in under 24 hours.
The Test of US Resolve
| Vessel Name | Rich Starry (formerly Full Star) |
| Owner | Chinese-owned (Full Star Shipping Ltd., linked to Shanghai-based company under US sanctions) |
| Flag | Malawi (though African nation states it does not maintain a registry for oceangoing vessels) |
| Sanction Status | Blacklisted by US in 2023 for allegedly helping Tehran circumvent energy restrictions |
| Action | Sailed through Strait of Hormuz |
Shortly after the blockade came into force, the vessel approached the narrow channel near Iran’s Qeshm Island, then pulled back, only to resume its journey hours later. As it waited, it broadcast details of its Chinese ownership and crew — a standard maritime safety practice that in this context also appeared to signal a quiet test of American enforcement intent.
Second Attempt in Under 24 Hours
The Rich Starry’s successful transit was not its first try. The vessel made two pushes through the strategic waterway in under 24 hours, demonstrating persistence and potentially testing the blockade’s enforcement capabilities.
Another Tanker Testing the Waters
| Vessel Name | Elpis |
| Action | Entered the Gulf of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz |
| Notable Detail | Ship-tracking platforms suggested the vessel had previously docked at an Iranian port |
The Rich Starry was not alone in testing the waters. According to Bloomberg, another tanker, Elpis, entered the Gulf of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz as the blockade took effect, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.
Blockade in Force, Shipping in Limbo
| Effective Date | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| Announced By | President Donald Trump |
| Stated Aim | Curbing Iran’s oil exports |
| Current Status | Global shipping firms and energy traders in state of uncertainty |
| Reported Observation | No vessels with active transponders have entered the Persian Gulf since blockade began |
The blockade, announced by Donald Trump, came into effect on Monday with the stated aim of curbing Iran’s oil exports. The move has left global shipping firms and energy traders in a state of uncertainty, with many pausing operations until clearer enforcement guidelines emerge.
