Following U.S. military strikes on Iran, at least two supertankers reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting heightened fears of disruption in one of the world’s most vital oil shipping lanes.
Recent U.S. strikes on Iran have raised concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint through which about 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass. As tensions rise, at least two supertankers temporarily changed course near the strait, according to shiptracking data.
Fears that Iran might retaliate by closing the strait have pushed oil prices to five-month highs and caused tanker freight rates to more than double in a week. Tanker operators are now adjusting routes, pausing near Oman, or minimizing time inside the Gulf.
Meanwhile, shipping activity in the region has decreased—entry of empty tankers into the Gulf has dropped 32%, and departures of loaded vessels are down 27% compared to early May.
Some Japanese and Taiwanese companies said their ships are still transiting the strait but with stricter safety protocols. Iran's parliament has passed a measure to close the waterway, though any action would need approval from its top security body. Historically, Tehran has threatened closures but never implemented them.
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The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
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