Iran Has Allowed The Yacht Of Russia's Richest Oligarch Through The Strait Of Hormuz
- 26.04.2026, 15:29
The billionaire is under sanctions by the US, Britain and the European Union.
The yacht of Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, the main owner of Severstal, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, virtually closed to shipping after the beginning of the military operation of the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
According to the data of traffic tracking services Vesselfinder and Marinetraffic, the 142-meter superyacht Nord left Dubai on April 24 and set a course for Oman, passing through the strait on the night of April 25.
According to NBC News, two tankers under U.S. sanctions, five cargo ships (including one Iranian vessel) and a passenger ferry from Oman crossed the strait with the yacht.
Alexei Mordashov topped Forbes' list of the richest Russians this week by a wide margin: the magazine estimated his fortune at $37 billion. The Russian billionaire's capital exceeded the $30 billion mark for the first time in the history of the rating, the publication noted.
The billionaire is under sanctions by the United States, Britain and the European Union. His yacht Nord was built at the German shipyard Lürssen and re-registered in Russia after the restrictions were imposed. On the eve of the Iranian ambassador in Moscow said that Tehran made an exception for Russian ships, allowing them to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and not pay duties.
Since the beginning of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran in late February, Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastline, and warned that it would pursue Iranian "shadow fleet" ships even in international waters. On April 17, the Iranian side announced the opening of the waterway to commercial ships - this came after Israel agreed to a 10-day truce with the Hezbollah group, but Iran soon withdrew the permission, accusing Washington of "piracy." On April 19, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy said ship traffic would resume only after the U.S. naval blockade was completely lifted.