Shipping stalls in Strait of Hormuz as vessels fear Iranian attacks

Most ships remain halted in the Strait of Hormuz, fearing Iranian attacks, as traffic drops sharply despite a ceasefire and ongoing tensions.

Most vessels are still avoiding the Strait of Hormuz due to fears of Iranian attacks, with traffic falling to extremely low levels despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to The New York Times, only two ships passed through the strait on Friday, marking one of the lowest levels since the truce.

Shipping activity has remained very limited throughout the week, with just four ships crossing on both Wednesday and Thursday, while hundreds of others are waiting on either side of the strait, reluctant to proceed after weeks of conflict and repeated strikes on vessels and port facilities.

Iran has imposed strict controls, requiring ships to coordinate passage with its military and limiting the number of approvals granted. Most vessels currently transiting the waterway are either Iranian or have received explicit permission following negotiations with Tehran.

Before the conflict, around 120 ships passed through the strait daily, including tankers carrying roughly a quarter of the world’s oil and a fifth of its natural gas. The sharp decline in traffic has significantly disrupted global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, and any disruption quickly impacts global markets and energy prices.

With shipping still constrained and security concerns persisting, the strait remains a central flashpoint affecting both regional stability and the global economy.

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