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Iran claims a foreign ship got stuck in the Strait of Hormuz but the vessel is tied to Tehran
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Iranian state television reported that a foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring the Islamic Revolutionary Guard's designated route, emphasizing Tehran's control over the strategic waterway.
- The vessel in question is identified as the Arista, previously known as the Panama-flagged Gauja, which has been stuck in Iranian territorial waters near Hormuz Island since mid-March.
- The Arista is linked to a large oil smuggling network tied to the Shamkhani family, prominent figures close to Iran's former Supreme Leader, and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for moving Iranian and Russian oil illegally.
- After sanctions, the ship changed its name and flew a false Comoros flag to disguise its origin, a common tactic among Iran’s sanctioned shadow fleet vessels.
- Tehran has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident, which underscores the ongoing tensions and the strategic leverage Iran holds over global energy markets through control of the Strait of Hormuz.
