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April 13, 2026
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The Strait of Hormuz became the center of a major geopolitical standoff on April 13 as the United States imposed a naval blockade at 10 AM Eastern Time. More than 15 US Navy warships, including an aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyers, took position around the waterway. The Iran blockade was intended to cut off Tehran’s oil exports, but within hours a Chinese-owned, sanctioned tanker sailed straight through it. The Rich Starry, blacklisted by Washington in 2023, initially turned back when the blockade began. The medium-range vessel carrying 250,000 barrels of methanol then restarted its exit and successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz. Around 800 ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, including 400 oil and gas tankers stuck since late February. The oil price spiked to $105 per barrel on Sunday as markets reacted to the supply disruption.
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800 Ships Still Trapped as 121 Empty Tankers Race Toward the US
China’s Defense Minister warned the US Navy not to interfere with Chinese ships. Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated during a call with his Pakistani counterpart that blocking the Strait of Hormuz is not in the common interest of the international community.
Wang Yi said:
“The current ceasefire is highly fragile, with the region at a critical turning point. The immediate priority is to prevent a resumption of hostilities and sustain the hard-won truce.”
Chinese Tankers Defy Blockade
A second sanctioned tanker, Murlikishan, also entered the strait on Tuesday. Data from LSEG, MarineTraffic, and Kpler confirmed that Rich Starry became the first vessel to exit the Persian Gulf since the Iran blockade went live. The tanker loaded its cargo at Hamriyah in the United Arab Emirates before attempting passage.
Claire Jungman, director of maritime risk and intelligence for Vortexa, confirmed the transit pattern.
Jungman said:
“We have not seen any transits from tankers since the U.S. blockade began this morning.”
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Iran Trolls US With Gas Price Warnings
Dan Pickering, founder of Pickering Energy Partners, said the question now is who will have the courage to transit first. Around 121 empty oil tankers are racing toward the United States, according to Fox News reports. Workers on stranded vessels are relying on rationed supplies brought in by small ships from Gulf states. The oil price settled above $100 as the blockade took effect, with analysts warning of further supply shocks ahead.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted a screenshot of Washington-area gas station prices and had this to say:
“Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4-$5 gas.”
Iran’s embassy in Thailand also posted a mock Trump 2028 campaign sign showing $20.28 per gallon, trolling the US over potential fuel price spikes.
France and the United Kingdom are working to form a 40-nation conference to peacefully restore freedom of navigation. Pakistan is pushing to get the US and Iran back to negotiations before the current ceasefire expires next week, with potential talks scheduled for Thursday. President Trump warned that any of Iran’s high-speed attack boats approaching US Navy positions will be immediately eliminated.
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