Sanctions are failing to completely halt international trade in the Hormuz Strait, with the Chinese oil tanker "Rich Starry" serving as clear evidence as it passed through the strait, thereby breaching the American blockade.
The Chinese tanker seriously challenged the U.S. initiative targeting Iranian maritime traffic. The "Rich Starry" sailed overnight and exited the Hormuz Strait in the early hours of Tuesday, apparently encountering no obstacles along its route. Previously known as the "Full Star," this vessel is subject to U.S. sanctions. It is listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control under the U.S. Department of the Treasury as being linked to Iran and sanctioned for its involvement in transporting Iranian products.
The tanker had been anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman. It returned to the Persian Gulf 10 days ago and had been waiting there since. News of its passage comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a four-point plan for peace and stability in the Middle East to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The plan includes respecting peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, the rule of international law, and coordination between development and security.
The proposal focuses on respecting the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf countries, while also emphasizing the need for the security of energy infrastructure and transport routes, particularly concerning the Hormuz Strait.
The Chinese plan also underscores the promotion of international laws and norms, implicitly opposing the application of a "law of the jungle" in international relations.