A superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov has successfully transited the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, according to a source close to the oligarch. The vessel, named Nord, passed through the strategically important waterway on Saturday after undergoing maintenance in Dubai.
The source stated that neither Iran nor the United States objected to the yacht's passage. Iran did not interfere as the yacht is a civilian vessel from a friendly country conducting peaceful transit, while the US raised no questions since the yacht did not call at Iranian ports and has no connection to Iran.
The strait has seen severely restricted traffic since February, with only a few merchant vessels able to pass through amid the US-Iran conflict. Before the war began on 28 February, an average of 125 to 140 vessels crossed daily. The US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in response.
Russia is a longstanding ally of Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to St Petersburg on Monday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following discussions with peace mediators in Pakistan and Oman.
After crossing the strait, Nord has been located near the coast of Oman since Sunday, according to data provider LSEG. The yacht, valued at over $500 million, sails under a Russian flag and crossed on an approved route in compliance with international maritime law.
