Hormuz & Global Energy — 2026-04-03

French and Japanese Ships Make First Strait of Hormuz Transit Since Iran Blockade

A French-flagged vessel and a Japanese LNG tanker (co-owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) completed the first commercial transits of the Strait of Hormuz since Iran declared it closed to US-allied shipping on March 27. The crossings were escorted by naval forces and represent a test of Iran's enforcement posture. The UK is simultaneously holding talks with 40 countries on a multilateral reopening effort, while the Philippines secured separate safe passage for its vessels through direct negotiation with Tehran.

Analysis
These transits are the first concrete test of whether the Hormuz blockade is enforceable or performative. Naval escorts suggest the crossings were pre-negotiated rather than forced, creating a precedent for nation-by-nation access deals. Combined with Philippines, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea securing bilateral safe-passage agreements, a two-tier Hormuz regime is emerging where individual countries negotiate with Tehran, undermining the collective reopening the US seeks.

2 sources

Iran war: French and Japanese-owned ships make first Strait of Hormuz crossings - South China Morning Post
Western, Japanese Ships Begin Passing Through Strait of Hormuz - Seoul Economic Daily