Traffic through Strait of Hormuz skyrockets nearly 400%

Key Points:

• Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has surged nearly 400% in two weeks, with nearly 200 ships navigating the waterway last week compared to just 40 two weeks earlier, indicating increased usage despite ongoing Iran-US tensions.
• Over 80% of liquid cargoes have taken the US-backed Omani route or gone “dark,” suggesting Iran is losing control over the strait, a critical passage for roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil in peacetime.
• The US has been covertly escorting oil tankers through the strait since May using tactics like radar shutdowns and close navigation to Oman’s coast, while Iran has struck five vessels recently, causing injuries but no total losses.
• President Trump declared the strait fully de-mined and operational, signaling plans for intensified sanctions on Iran, while Iran’s security chief warned of severe retaliatory measures against the US and its allies.
• Negotiations to resolve control of the Strait of Hormuz have stalled after a 60-day ceasefire period ended, with escalating threats from both sides amid ongoing military and economic tensions.