A superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov successfully navigated the blockaded Strait of Hormuz after maintenance in Dubai, with no objections from Iran or the United States, according to a source close to Mordashov. The yacht, named Nord and valued at over $500 million, sailed through the crucial waterway on Saturday, where maritime traffic has been heavily restricted since February due to tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Sailing under a Russian flag, Nord followed an approved route in compliance with international maritime law. The source indicated that Iran did not interfere with the yacht’s passage, recognizing it as a civilian vessel from a friendly nation. Similarly, the U.S. raised no concerns since the yacht did not dock at Iranian ports and maintained no ties to Iran.
Currently, only a few merchant vessels are traversing the Strait of Hormuz daily, a stark contrast to the typical 125 to 140 daily crossings prior to the conflict that escalated on February 28. In response to rising tensions, the U.S. has implemented a blockade on Iranian ports. Following its passage, the Nord has been located near Oman’s coast since Sunday.
