Khaberni - Navigational data from the "Marine Traffic" platform specializing in tracking ship movement showed the transit of two gas carriers and an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, March 23, through a narrow passage south of Qeshm Island within Iranian territorial waters, indicating continuing limited and selective passage through the strait, concurrently with military tensions that have disrupted much of the commercial traffic in the region in recent weeks.
According to monitoring and analysis conducted by Al Jazeera's Open Source Unit, the ships included the two Indian liquefied gas carriers "Pine Gas" and "Jag Vasant", in addition to the oil tanker "Bright Gold" which flies the Panamanian flag and is operated by a Chinese company.
The data also showed that "Bright Gold" listed "China Owner" in the destination field within its navigational data.
The ship locations show their transit through a narrow navigational line aligned with the islands and the Iranian coast in the northern part of the strait.
Reuters reported on March 20th that the two Indian tankers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant were preparing to cross the Strait of Hormuz after a brief halt.
The Mehr Agency quoted the Iranian representative to the International Maritime Organization, Ali Mosavi, saying that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all ships except those belonging to Iran's enemies, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to facilitate ship transit, provided that this operation is coordinated.
A memo issued by the British Maritime Trade Operations "UKMTO" confirms that commercial movement through the strait is still very limited, and the International Maritime Organization "IMO" has called for a framework that ensures the safe passage of commercial ships and does not obstruct navigational movement in the strait.
In light of this escalation, statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reflect Tehran's stance rejecting American pressure, affirming that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, considering that the decline in ship movement is due to the concerns of insurance companies about the repercussions of the war, and not an actual closure of the strait, at a time when the intensity of mutual threats between Washington and Tehran regarding security of navigation in one of the world's most important oil passageways is increasing.
