Iran and US ‘allowed’ Russian superyacht through blockaded Strait of Hormuz

A superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov successfully transited the heavily blockaded Strait of Hormuz last weekend, an unusual passage given the waterway's severe restrictions since February.

The multi-deck vessel, named Nord and valued at over $500 million, completed its journey through the commercially vital strait after maintenance in Dubai.

The Russian-flagged yacht's Saturday sailing had raised questions about its passage through the flashpoint area, a key zone in the US-Iran conflict.

However, a source close to Mr Mordashov confirmed that neither Iran nor the United States objected.

The source explained: "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."

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The transit was reportedly on an approved route, complying with international maritime law.

A representative for steel magnate Mordashov previously declined to comment regarding the yacht’s journey.

Mordashov, known to be close to Putin, is not officially listed as the owner of Nord. But shipping data and Russian corporate records from 2025 show the vessel was registered to a Russian firm owned by his wife in 2022. This firm is registered in the Russian town of Cherepovets, where Mordashov’s steelmaker Severstal is also registered.

Just a few, mainly merchant vessels, have been passing daily through the crucial ‌waterway at the entrance to the Gulf as Washington and Tehran maintain an uneasy ceasefire.

This represents a fraction of the average 125 to 140 daily passages before the Iran war began on 28 February. In response, the US has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports.

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Russia and Iran are longstanding allies and have become closer in recent years, including via a 2025 treaty that strengthened intelligence and security cooperation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to St Petersburg on Monday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after discussions with peace mediators in Pakistan and Oman over the weekend.

After crossing the strait, Nord has been located near the coast of Oman since Sunday, according to LSEG data.

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