At least two ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Hormuz Strait despite a US military blockade, according to maritime tracking data, AFP reports.

They were among at least four Iran-linked vessels that used the route after Washington’s blockade came into effect at 2pm GMT a day earlier, according to maritime data provider Kpler.

The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna crossed after unloading 74,000 tonnes of corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, passing Iran’s Larak Island in the strait around 4pm GMT on Monday, Kpler data showed.

A second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island around 11am GMT and cleared the strait about 4pm GMT.

It was loaded with 31,000 tonnes of methanol, having left the Iranian port of Bushehr on March 31, Kpler data showed.

A Chinese tanker, the Rich Starry, also crossed the strait overnight from Monday to Tuesday via the Iranian-approved vetting route south of Larak Island.

Kpler said that the vessel was carrying 31,500 tonnes of methanol and was bound for Sohar in Oman, according to data from its transponder.