Tehran, Iran – Global shipping companies remain extremely cautious about transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid uncertainty and conflicting information surrounding the preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran, as well as security reports indicating the presence of dozens of mines in the vital waterway. This issue is expected to top the agenda of the upcoming talks between the two sides in Switzerland today.
Iranian closure and exchange of accusations
Tensions have escalated again in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Iranian military command announcing on Saturday its decision to close the strait once more to maritime traffic. This decision came in response to what Tehran described as Israel’s violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran also accused the United States of reneging on the first clause of the preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war.
The official Iranian state broadcaster confirmed the closure. The Fars News Agency also quoted a military source confirming that the closure would continue and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy would not issue any transit permits until further notice.
Navigation: Between reality and reports
Despite the closure announcements, ship tracking data indicates that the strait has not completely ceased operations. Crude oil tankers and cargo ships transited the waterway in the past 24 hours, particularly via the Omani side. For its part, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a significant increase in commercial shipping traffic on June 20th, with 55 commercial vessels transiting the strait on Friday, carrying 17 million barrels of oil.
CENTCOM supported the guidance issued by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), urging vessels to adhere to the “southern transit route” close to the coast of Oman to avoid potential risks near the Iranian border.
Meanwhile, analysts at the maritime intelligence firm Windward AI observed an increase in departing vessel activity last Thursday, including large oil tankers.
These volatile developments are placing international shipping companies in a complex position. They are balancing the need to ensure the flow of global energy supplies with the risks of sudden shutdowns and security threats at one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. All this is happening while they await the outcome of talks in Switzerland, which could clarify the future of shipping in the region.
