A number of oil tankers, led by the Liberian-flagged vessel Stoic Warrior, sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning. The vessels followed a U.N.-recommended route, hugging the coast of the United Arab Emirates and then Oman.
This new route, which remains close to Oman's shores, has been promoted by Oman and a U.N. maritime agency. The tankers reportedly hugged the western coast as they navigated the strait.
The passage occurred despite threats from Iran and the Revolutionary Guards that any ship not following Iran's approved route will be dealt with accordingly. These events take place amid continued uncertainty about the future of the crucial waterway.