RAS AL KHAIMAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – MARCH 22: Bulk Carrier, Belray, in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz on March 22, 2026 in northern Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.(Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (TNND) — A tanker from China passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday in defiance of President Donald Trump’s naval blockade that started on Monday.
The oil tanker is owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd. and it has become a target for U.S. sanctions, according to the Daily Mail.
The tanker is called Rich Starry and contains about 250,000 barrels of methanol, data states.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 11: U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off of Air Force One at Miami International Airport on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump came to town to attend a UFC Fight. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Over the weekend, Trump said that the U.S. would block ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war in Iran.
The president said he has “instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.”
On Tuesday, China called the U.S. blocking ships trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz “dangerous.”
“The US increased military operations and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardize safety of passage through the Strait,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a news conference.
“This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior,” he said.
Vice President JD Vance recently said that the “ball is in the Iranian court” as the blockades continue.
