Kamal Ghorui
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has the Strait of Hormuz under “totally control” and described the ongoing naval blockade as a “tremendous success.” However, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) operated by Iran’s National Iranian Tanker Company has reportedly evaded the US Navy and reached the Asia-Pacific, carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil worth nearly $220 million, according to TankerTrackers.com.The vessel, identified as “HUGE,” was last spotted off Sri Lanka over a week ago and is now moving through Indonesia’s Lombok Strait towards the Riau Archipelago.In a post on X, TankerTrackers.com said, “A National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertanker carrying over 1.9 million barrels (valued at nearly $220 million dollars) of crude oil has managed to evade the US Navy and reach the Far East.”“Her name is HUGE (9357183), and we last sighted her off Sri Lanka over a week ago. She is currently traversing the Lombok Strait of Indonesia toward the Riau Archipelago. Until now, HUGE has not transmitted on AIS since 2026-03-20, when she departed the Strait of Malacca for Iran,” it added.The report comes as Iranian state media claims that at least 52 Iranian vessels breached the US-imposed blockade within a 72-hour period. According to Fars News Agency, the ships included 31 oil tankers and 21 cargo vessels.The US military, however, maintains it has intercepted or forced around 41 Iran-linked ships to turn back since the blockade began, Al Jazeera reported.Despite reported breaches, US officials insisted that the blockade is working, claiming it has cost Tehran billions in lost revenue and severely limited its ability to export oil. Washington also argued that Iran may soon be forced to store excess oil until capacity is exhausted, potentially halting production.Earlier last month, data from maritime tracking firm Vortexa suggested that at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have managed to bypass the US naval blockade. Of these, 19 exited the Gulf while 15 entered, indicating continued movement of vessels despite heightened restrictions.The United States has also redirected 48 vessels in the Persian Gulf region over the past 20 days as part of its efforts to enforce restrictions on Iranian maritime activity, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.The US has clarified that its blockade targets Iranian ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz itself. The US has also warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they make payments to Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.An alert by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said such payments could include not only cash but also “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments,” including charitable donations or embassy payments.Iran had earlier restricted movement in the strait following the outbreak of conflict on February 28, later offering alternative routes near its coastline in exchange for fees.The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global chokepoint, handling roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade. The US blockade, imposed on April 13 and later expanded, is part of a broader effort to pressure Iran economically and strategically, even as maritime tensions and diplomatic efforts continue in parallel.
