CNN Refutes ‘Success’ of Trump’s Blockade: Six Ships Carrying Iranian Oil Would Give Revenue ‘a Shy of $1 Billion’

EXCERPT:

BURNETT: “Iran says it seized two ships, which came just days after Trump declared 'Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the world.' Well, obviously, that‘s not the case. As for Trump‘s blockade, on CNBC yesterday, Trump called it a great success. Now, it is causing a lot of pressure on Iran. That is a reality. But we did just obtain data from cargo tracking firm Vortexa, which was first reported by the Financial Times. And this is really important context because what the data shows is that at least 35 tankers with links to Iran have bypassed the U.S. blockade since it started. Now, they're including any Iranian linked vessels that are moving cargo out of the Persian Gulf. The FT notes that at least six of those ships were confirmed to be carrying crude oil, and then they did the math. The oil on those ships, even with a very hefty discount, because it‘s Iranian oil right now, would give Iran just shy of $1 billion in revenue, which is a massive lifeline. Now, CENTCOM tonight is denying these reports. So it‘s unclear, though Vortexa is the creme de la creme of shipping tracking, it is important to note, though, that even if these vessels all left, theoretically, they could be apprehended by the United States later under the terms of the blockade.”