Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has seen a significant decrease following recent attacks on vessels and subsequent strikes by the U.S. and Iran. Data indicates a decline in the number of ships, including those carrying oil and gas, traversing the waterway.
Iran has asserted its right to control passage through the strait, advocating for all maritime traffic to adhere to lanes it designates. The Iranian military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that the "only safe route for the passage of commercial ships and oil tankers in the strait is the route determined by the Islamic Republic of Iran." This stance follows two separate incidents on June 25 and 27 where ships in Omani waters, south of the strait, were struck.
In response to these strikes, the U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets, which Iran characterized as a "foolish violation" of a truce. Iran, in turn, accused the U.S. of violating an interim deal and stated it had struck targets linked to American forces in the region.
Following the escalation, the number of ships using a route through Omani waters, recommended by the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) as an alternative to Iranian-designated lanes, initially dropped. Data showed a peak of 28 vessels using this Omani route on June 25, surpassing transits via the Iranian route. However, after the strikes, traffic via the Omani route continued at a lower level than previously observed.
Historically, the U.S. and its allies, including governments in Europe and Asia, have advocated for free and open passage through the strait. Iran's insistence on controlling movement and potentially introducing fees for passage remains a point of contention. The JMIC had recommended that ships use the southern Omani route after a deal to end a prior conflict, leading to an increase in its usage until the recent attacks.
