When a yacht peacefully crosses the Strait of Hormuz in the midst of war in Iran

The yacht “Nord” of Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov at Hong Kong on October 12, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP) Published on April 29, 2026 07:52 Reading time: 2min

This yacht belongs to a Russian billionaire. Tehran, who is orchestrating the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, ensured the unimpeded passage of the ship as the question of reopening the strait, strategic for the Gulf countries’ oil exports to the rest of the world, is at the center of tensions between Washington and Tehran.

While the situation remains very confusing in the Strait of Hormuz where ship traffic is heavily slowed down by the Iranian and American double blockade, maritime data revealed a surprising crossing last weekend. The small point that appeared on specialized sites’ maps was neither a cargo ship nor an oil tanker. This blinking point, progressing steadily, was a flashy yacht flying the Russian flag.

Identified as “Le Nord,” this 142-meter long giant, with a pool and helipad, is valued at 500 million euros and belongs to no ordinary person. Its owner is the oligarch Alexey Mordashov, considered Russia’s richest man, with an estimated fortune of $37 billion in the most recent Forbes ranking. A fortune built in the steel industry – Mordashov is indeed the head of the Russian steel giant Severstal – but also linked to power. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the 60-year-old businessman has been on the list of individuals targeted by US and European sanctions.

To secure the privilege of crossing the Strait of Hormuz, quite rare nowadays, the billionaire’s plaything evidently benefited from a right of passage granted by Iran. According to maritime data, his superyacht left Dubai last Friday and crossed the strait on Saturday before heading to Muscat, the Omani capital where it apparently dropped anchor on Sunday. The boat’s trajectory shows that it followed the route marked as safe and mine-free by Tehran, closest to its shores, particularly Larak Island, which is heavily equipped with military installations. It is deduced that the path of this discreet traveler was either paid for or authorized.

In such a tense moment, this ostentatious crossing of a sanctioned vessel coming to taunt the American blockade cannot be entirely insignificant. It comes at a time when Tehran seems to be testing the nerves of Americans and strengthening its ties with Moscow, as shown by the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to the Russian capital last Monday. Russia is benefiting from the crisis with exports at their highest in over a month, while Iran is displaying mastery of time and the strait. Tuesday morning, a Japanese super tanker crossed the strait, the first since the beginning of the war on February 28, indicating that Tokyo may have yielded to Iranian demands.