[Oil Tanker Crosses Hormuz Strait Again, Iran States Passage Only Closed to 'Enemies'] BlockBeats News, March 16 – According to ship tracking data, an Aframax oil tanker named 'Karachi' has successfully passed through the Hormuz Strait and is currently en route to Pakistan. This is one of the few tankers to successfully leave the Persian Gulf since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Data shows that the tanker, controlled by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, completed its passage through the strait near the Iranian coast last Sunday and is now located in waters near Sohar. Recently, vessels passing through the strait have generally chosen to navigate closer to the Iranian side to reduce risks. Due to escalating regional conflicts, shipping through the Hormuz Strait, which accounts for about 20% of global crude oil transportation, had nearly come to a halt. Countries are closely monitoring whether vessels are resuming passage. Meanwhile, some nations have negotiated passage arrangements with Tehran; for instance, India has obtained permission for two LPG tankers to transit the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Hormuz Strait has not been completely closed but is 'only closed to vessels from hostile nations.' Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, added that Tehran will retain the strategic leverage of 'closing the strait.' As the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the risks associated with shipping through the strait continue to rise. President Trump has called on multiple nations to dispatch warships to escort commercial vessels and restore the shipping lane, but allies like Japan have yet to express willingness to participate. Industry experts believe that even if tensions ease, it may take several weeks for shipping through the strait to fully recover.