According to a report on the 20th by British shipping media Lloyd's List, at least 26 vessels associated with Iranian shipping have breached the U.S. naval blockade. The report states that since the U.S. military imposed the blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports on the 13th, 11 of the ships that broke through were oil tankers carrying Iranian cargo. Following the U.S. military's expansion of the blockade last week, more than 10 vessels have successfully crossed the restricted area. Additionally, a bulk carrier owned by a Greek shipowner departed an Iranian port on the 15th and passed the blockade line on the 19th. Iran announced on the 17th that it was opening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but declared on the 18th that, as the U.S. had not lifted its maritime blockade, Iran would resume control over passage through the strait. On the 19th, U.S. forces intercepted and seized an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian military accused the U.S. of openly violating the ceasefire agreement. Lloyd's List previously cited analysts as saying that the announcement and implementation of the U.S. blockade policy reveal it is not a carefully considered strategy, but rather an improvised response to unfolding events.
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