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Russian oligarch’s superyacht allowed through strait of Hormuz, source says
TL;DR
A superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov successfully transited the strait of Hormuz after maintenance in Dubai, with no objections from Iran or the US. The yacht, valued at over $500 million, followed an approved route under international maritime law.
Key points
- Superyacht owned by Alexei Mordashov transited strait of Hormuz
- No objections from Iran or the US allowed passage
- Yacht valued at over $500 million
- Sailed under Russian flag on an approved route
- Compliance with international maritime law confirmed
Mentioned in this story
Alexei Mordashov
Nord
A superyacht owned by the Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov was able to transit the blockaded strait of Hormuz after undergoing maintenance in Dubai because neither Iran nor the US objected, a source close to Mordashov said on Tuesday.
It has been unclear how the multi-deck pleasure vessel, worth more than $500m (£370m), gained permission to sail on Saturday through the commercially important waterway at the heart of the US-Iran conflict, where traffic has been severely restricted since February.
Alexei Mordashov. Photograph: Kommersant photo agency/Rex/Shutterstock
Sailing under a Russian flag, the yacht, called Nord, crossed the strait on an approved route in compliance with international maritime law, the source said.
“Iran did not interfere with the movement of the yacht, as it is a civilian vessel of a friendly country conducting a peaceful transit. The American side also raised no questions regarding the yacht’s movement, as it did not call at Iranian ports and has no connection to Iran,” the source said.
Just a few, mainly merchant vessels, have been able to pass through the crucial waterway at the entrance to the Gulf as Washington and Tehran maintain an uneasy ceasefire. This is a fraction of the average 125 to 140 daily passages before the war began on 28 February. In response, the US has blockaded Iranian ports.
Russia is a longstanding ally of Iran. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, travelled to St Petersburg on Monday for a meeting with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, after discussions with peace mediators in Pakistan and Oman at the weekend.
After crossing the strait, Nord has been located near the coast of Oman since Sunday, according to the data provider LSEG.
Q&A
How did Alexei Mordashov's superyacht pass through the strait of Hormuz?
The yacht was allowed to transit because neither Iran nor the US objected, and it followed an approved route in compliance with international maritime law.
What is the value of Alexei Mordashov's superyacht Nord?
The superyacht Nord is valued at more than $500 million.
What are the implications of a Russian oligarch's yacht sailing through a blockaded strait?
The passage of the yacht through the strait of Hormuz raises questions about international sanctions and the geopolitical dynamics between the US and Iran.
