A superyacht linked to a sanctioned Russian billionaire has navigated the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway currently restricted by Iran amid ongoing tensions with the United States. The vessel, named Nord, is believed to be associated with Russian steel magnate Alexey Mordashov, who faces sanctions from the US and EU over his alleged ties to the Kremlin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Rare Passage Through a Volatile Waterway
Tracking data from MarineTraffic indicates that the 465-foot yacht, valued at over £368 million, departed a marina in Dubai around 2pm on Friday. It crossed the volatile Strait of Hormuz early Saturday and arrived in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday morning. The journey is notable because Iran has imposed sweeping restrictions on movement through the strait since February, a corridor that typically handles about a fifth of the world's oil supply. Only a handful of ships, mostly commercial carriers, have been making the daily transit as an uneasy ceasefire holds between Washington and Tehran.
Mystery Surrounding Clearance
It remains unclear how the lavish, multi-deck vessel secured clearance to navigate the strait. A representative for Mordashov declined to comment. The yacht, one of the largest in the world, boasts 20 staterooms, a swimming pool, a helipad, and even a submarine, according to Superyacht Times. Mordashov is not officially listed as the owner, but shipping data and Russian corporate filings from 2025 indicate the vessel was registered in 2022 to a Russian company owned by his wife, based in Cherepovets, where his steel giant Severstal is also registered.
Geopolitical Context
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, when Iran shut down the waterway. The US responded with a blockade targeting Iranian ports, further choking maritime traffic. Moscow and Tehran, long considered strategic allies, have deepened ties, notably through a 2025 agreement boosting intelligence and security cooperation. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin, following mediation discussions in Pakistan and Oman.
Trump's Response to Iran's Peace Offer
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump responded to Iran's latest peace offering but postponed nuclear talks until the war ends. The proposed deal would first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address stickier issues, such as nuclear enrichment, later. However, Trump is reportedly unhappy with the proposal because it does not address his concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. An American official told Reuters that Trump “doesn’t love the proposal” after discussing it with top national security aides. Iranian sources described a three-step plan: first, the US and Israel would stop attacking Iran and guarantee not to resume; then both sides would lift their naval blockades, allowing vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz again.
