Dozens of ships head through Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal
Dozens of Ships Traverse Strait of Hormuz Following US-Iran Agreement
Dozens of ships head through Strait - Maritime intelligence reports indicate a minimum of 172 ships have navigated the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Iran finalized an agreement to de-escalate tensions. This includes 42 vessels that passed through the strait on Saturday alone, according to data from Kpler, a maritime analytics firm. However, the current traffic volume remains significantly lower than the pre-conflict average of approximately 138 daily crossings.
Recent ship-tracking analysis by BBC Verify reveals over 200 oil tankers are reportedly stalled within the strait, with at least 10 moving westward into the Gulf on Tuesday. The price of Brent crude, a global oil benchmark, has reached its lowest point since the conflict began. Many of these vessels are associated with Iran, as the US naval embargo was lifted under the terms of the deal.
At least 30 tankers have departed the Gulf with Iranian oil and petrochemical products since the agreement was announced, per Jemima Shelley, a researcher at the United Against Nuclear Iran campaign. The US Treasury also relaxed long-standing sanctions by granting a temporary license for the sale of Iranian oil products until August 21. On Monday, ship data showed five previously sanctioned tankers crossing the strait, transporting up to four million barrels of oil.
Route Shift and Trade Resumption
Most transits have followed the Iranian-approved northern route through their waters, rather than the US-recommended southern path near Oman. Despite this, some commercial activity has resumed. Four liquefied natural gas tankers were tracked heading to Qatar’s Ras Laffan port on Monday, while three tankers and three cargo ships exited the Gulf on Tuesday.
“Normal trade has seen a modest uptick,” noted Martin Kelly of EOS Risk Group. However, the pace remains slow. Shelley observed that traffic halted after Iran reopened the strait on June 20, though a few tankers have resumed movement recently.
Sanctions, Permits, and Conflicting Statements
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) outlined its transit regulations on Friday, requiring all vessels to obtain a valid permit. The authority has faced US sanctions, which may have influenced some ship operators from securing Iranian clearance. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have issued mixed signals regarding the strait’s status: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it was closed following Israeli strikes on Lebanon, while a UN ambassador in Geneva stated it was open, and a military source suggested daily traffic would be limited.
Sea Mines and Maritime Warnings
Concerns about sea mines in the central portion of the strait have also contributed to reduced activity. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a coalition including the US, has advised vessels to avoid this area due to mine threats. Two mines have been identified, with active clearance efforts underway. The JMIC recommends using the southern route, which it describes as “mine-free.”
"We saw tankers passing along the southern corridor at the end of last week and then when Iran declared the strait closed again on Saturday 20 June the transits stalled," Shelley remarked. "There has been some resumption of tankers passing today but still only a trickle," she added.
With over 250 tankers and 440 cargo ships still inside the Gulf, the majority remain stationary or anchored, while roughly 16% are in transit. The agreement also mandates Iran’s “best efforts” to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels without tolls for 60 days and cooperation with Oman to establish the strait’s future management.