Multiple ships defy US blockade in Hormuz

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Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has gotten off to an inauspicious start. According to US Central Command, no ship using Iranian ports transited the waterway during the first 24 hours of the blockade, which came into effect on Monday. It also said that six vessels complied with orders to turn back. But at least four Iran-linked ships crossed the strait yesterday, according to maritime tracking data. Most are already subject to US sanctions. It remains unclear how the embargo works. Donald Trump claims it will feature “the same system of kill” used against alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela last year. But the military has said it will involve “interception, diversion, and capture”.