The shipping journal Lloyd’s List issued a report on Monday claiming that 26 ships had evaded the U.S. blockade of Iran. More than 10 vessels have transited past the U.S. blockade line since the terms were expanded last week, it said. Eleven tankers laden with Iranian cargo have left the Gulf of Oman or Middle East Gulf since April 13. A Greek-owned bulker left an Iranian port on April 15 and passed the blockade line on April 19.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied the breach in a social media post responding to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who had sarcastically responded to the Lloyd’s List findings with a one-word post: “awesome.”
“First of all this is false,” Parnell said. “Second, a Dem senator cheering on the number one state sponsor of terror is shameful.”
