Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has hit its lowest level in the past five weeks, according to a report by Reuters.
Analytical company Kpler found that only six ships passed through the strait on Sunday, marking the lowest figure in five weeks. Additionally, Reuters reported that the movement of oil and gas tankers in the strait has also reached its lowest point since May 25. Meanwhile, sources in the shipping industry told the publication that an increasing number of vessels are turning off their public AIS trackers, suggesting that open data may not accurately reflect the actual level of shipping activity.
Impact of the conflict on shipping
The war in Iran, now approaching its five-month mark, has driven up oil and gas prices and increased instability in the Middle East. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans do not support the conflict.
Following last weekend’s hostilities, the United States and Iran issued conflicting statements regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies. In a post on the platform X on Sunday evening, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced that it had “completed a new wave of offensive strikes against Iran“ that day, “hitting dozens of targets in several locations with precision munitions to weaken Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz“.
Statements on control over the strait
Centcom also stated: “The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for world trade. Iran does not control it.” The command added that “U.S. forces are positioned and ready to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial vessels, despite Iran’s ongoing unjustified aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary claims.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by asserting: “The Strait of Hormuz is our territory, and we will not allow the army of a child-killing rogue state from the other side of the world to continue its illegal intervention in it,” according to The Associated Press.
After last weekend’s hostilities, the average price for a regular gallon of gasoline in the United States increased from approximately $3.80 a week ago to about $3.87 as of Monday morning, according to AAA.
Source: The Hill
