Pakistan-flagged tanker becomes first crude carrier to exit Strait of Hormuz since US blockade

An oil tanker flagged to Pakistan has entered the Gulf of Oman after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first crude vessel to leave the Persian Gulf since the United States imposed a blockade on Monday, ship‑tracking data showed.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy, with nearly one‑fifth of the world's oil passing through its narrow waters. Data from VesselFinder showed the tanker Shalamar sailing south of Iran's Larak Island late Thursday, carrying about 450,000 barrels of crude loaded at the UAE's Das Island terminal. The vessel, owned by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, was listed as bound for Karachi.

The U.S. has imposed the blockade on Monday after peace talks in Islamabad collapsed, deploying more than 15 warships to intercept vessels bound for Iranian ports while allowing transit to non‑Iranian destinations.

Pakistan-flagged tanker becomes first crude carrier to exit Strait of Hormuz since US blockade

The plane carrying Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Beijing late on Tuesday night as he begins a two-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Upon his arrival, Putin was greeted at the airport by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

This marks President Putin's 25th visit to China, with Xi and Putin set to exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Putin's plane touches down in Beijing to begin state visit