Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, shipping data from analytics firm Kpler showed, marking a dramatic collapse in traffic through the world most critical energy chokepoint as US and Iranian restrictions tighten simultaneously.
The data, reported by Reuters on Monday, revealed that just four vessels crossed the strait on Sunday while 13 transited on Saturday – a fraction of the normal flow for a waterway that typically handles roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
The near-paralysis stems from overlapping restrictions imposed by both Washington and Tehran. Iran has imposed transit fees and blacklisted 45 tankers it says violated Hormuz rules, while the United States maintains a naval blockade targeting vessels entering or departing Iranian ports.
Traffic Down 90 Percent Since June
According to Deccan Herald, overall Hormuz traffic has fallen roughly 90 percent since June, when a brief period of relative openness followed the April ceasefire. The International Trade Centre reported in August that natural gas exports through the strait had dropped by 95 percent, while fertilizer shipments have also been severely disrupted.
Operation Economic Outcast Escalates Pressure
The collapse coincides with the launch of Operation Economic Outcast, announced Monday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, targeting five sectors: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. Bessent warned that countries maintaining ties with Tehran face complete global isolation or a path back to normalcy.
Several vessels have begun switching off their automatic identification system transponders, making it harder for monitoring firms to track all transits, Reuters reported. Among the ships that did pass through, at least one supertanker loaded crude at Irans Kharg Island despite US sanctions.
Diplomatic Push Continues
Omans foreign minister is scheduled to travel to Tehran on Monday for continued negotiations on Hormuz access, while Pakistans army chief General Asim Munir is also returning to Iran for mediation between Washington and Tehran, according to Jerusalem Post.
Irans economy is showing severe strain. Producer inflation has jumped to nearly 99 percent, and the rial has hit historic lows. The regime has warned it will retaliate against the new sanctions, with sources telling Jerusalem Post that Tehran may consider attacking US military targets in Europe if Washington escalates further.
The dual blockade is sending ripple effects through global energy markets, with Gulf producers struggling to export crude and LNG shipments through the strait virtually halted. Economists warn that prolonged disruption could trigger energy price spikes across Asia and Europe, which depend heavily on Persian Gulf supplies.
discussion