A superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after undergoing maintenance in Dubai, a source close to the oligarch said on Tuesday. The vessel, named Nord, was able to cross the blockaded waterway because neither Iran nor the United States objected to its passage, the source added.
The yacht, worth more than $500 million, sailed under a Russian flag on an approved route in compliance with international maritime law. The source explained that Iran did not interfere as it is a civilian vessel of a friendly country conducting peaceful transit, while the US raised no questions since the yacht did not call at Iranian ports.
Since February, traffic through the commercially vital strait has been severely restricted due to the conflict between Washington and Tehran. Only a handful of merchant vessels have been allowed passage, compared to the average 125 to 140 daily transits before the war began on 28 February. The US has blockaded Iranian ports in response.
Russia has long been an ally of Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to St Petersburg on Monday for a meeting with 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.
