Russian superyacht sails through Strait of Hormuz despite blockade

The 141m-long vessel, linked to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, cleared the waterway despite an ongoing blockade. Russian superyacht sails through Strait of Hormuz despite blockade Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The multi-deck luxury boat valued at $500m (£370m) transited the Gulf waterway at the weekend The 465-foot superyacht "Nord", linked to the sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov is seen docked, in Hong Kong. A superyacht linked to one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's key allies has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ongoing blockade of the critical shipping channel. The 142m-long (465 feet) Nord luxury boat, linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov, travelled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman over the weekend, one of a few private vessels to transit through the strait in recent months. Iran has engaged with Russia in high-level talks this week as its standoff with the US over the strait's re-opening continues. Approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies normally pass through the waterway. With an estimated net worth of about $37bn (£27bn), Mordashov's is the richest Russian national listed by the US business magazine Forbes Mordashov, who has close ties to Putin, is not listed as the formal owner of the luxury boat. However, Nord's records indicate it was registered to a firm owned by his wife in 2022. Nord, estimated to be worth over $500m (£370m), left Dubai on Friday night and arrived at Al Mouj, a marina in Oman's capital, on Sunday morning, according to data on the Marine Traffic platform. Maritime traffic through the Gulf channel is currently at a fraction of pre-war levels. The conflict has contributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices, with the global benchmark Brent crude rising to $109 (£80) a barrel on Monday. The conflict has contributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices, with the global benchmark Brent crude rising to Iran has continued restricting shipping through the vital waterway after President Donald Trump announced US forces would impose a blockade on Iranian ports. The Russian-flagged Nord managed to clear the strait despite private vessels largely avoiding the waterway since the outbreak of hostilities. While long-term peace negotiations stall between the two sides, Tehran has this week focused its diplomatic efforts on cementing its relationship with Russia. peace negotiations stall between the two sides , Tehran has this week focused its diplomatic efforts on cementing its relationship with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted an Iranian delegation in St Petersburg on Monday, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hailed their "strategic relationship". Putin told Araghchi that the Iranian people were "courageously fighting" for their sovereignty in the face of American and Israeli pressure, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported. Araghchi shared photos on X showing him smiling and shaking hands with Putin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. He wrote: "Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership. "As our relationship continues to grow, we are grateful for solidarity and welcome Russia's support for diplomacy." Aragachi (left) says he welcomes "Russia's support for diplomacy" Abbas Aragachi (left) and Vladimir Putin shared a photo from St Petersburg today. The Russian superyacht has a swimming pool, submarine and helipad, according to a profile in the magazine Superyacht Times. Mordashov has been targeted by western sanctions, including from the UK, US and European Union since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hong Kong and the Maldives have previously not seized the yacht despite calls from western nations to freeze his assets. have previously not seized the yacht despite calls from western nations to freeze his assets. Mordashov is the chairman of Russia's largest steel and mining company Severstal. With an estimated net worth of about $37bn (£27bn), Mordashov is the richest Russian national listed by the US business magazine Forbes. It is not clear if he was on board Nord while it passed through the Strait of Hormuz. A thin, grey banner promoting the News Daily newsletter. On the right, there is a graphic of an orange sphere with two concentric crescent shapes around it in a red-orange gradient, like a sound wave. The banner reads: "The latest news in your inbox first thing.” Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here. Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. BBC chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, wearing navy outfit 'A dangerous standoff' as Strait of Hormuz blockade continues An attendant at a petrol station refills a motorbike with fuel Oil prices rise as US-Iran peace talks stall The hunt for superyachts of sanctioned Russians Ethnic Tuareg fighters say they are in control of Kidal following a weekend of nationwide attacks, alongside Islamist groups. The city of Dnipro was hardest hit, with officials saying four died in a strike on a residential building. Each bear in the installation in Washington, DC, is meant to represent one of the children Ukraine says have been abducted by Russia. President Trump said the US had cancelled plans to send a team to Pakistan for negotiations. Airlines are putting up prices and cancelling flights in response to higher jet fuel prices. British families tell BBC Panorama how the Iran war is affecting their monthly budgets. The US announced three days ago that the ceasefire was extended by three weeks after talks. The US president says he saved eight Iranian women from execution, but Iran says otherwise.