Iran claims oil tanker transits Strait of Hormuz amid blockade
Iran's Fars News Agency says a supertanker sailed through international waters and the Strait of Hormuz with its tracking system switched on, "without any concealment."
Updated on: April 15, 2026 / 11:54 AM EDT / CBS News
Iran's state media claimed Wednesday morning that a bulk carrier transporting food supplies and an Iranian crude oil tanker had entered Iranian waters after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, hours after a top U.S. military commander said a blockade of Iranian ports was "fully implemented."
Data from the ship tracking website MarineTraffic.com show a number of vessels, including the crude oil tanker Alicia, making the journey through the strait overnight. The Chinese-owned Alicia has previously called at Iranian ports and was sanctioned under a previous name for carrying Iranian crude oil.
The Alicia was heading toward the Persian Gulf and reached the coast of Oman on Saturday, the day before the blockade was announced. It appeared to alter its course in the Gulf of Oman when the blockade began, but then continued through the Strait of Hormuz overnight Tuesday, along with at least two other oil tankers.
Two Iran-flagged container ships, both subject to U.S. sanctions, also appeared to leave the Persian Gulf Tuesday and were continuing to sail close to Iran's south coast Wednesday.