Iran allowing more ships through Strait of Hormuz, data show

Data indicates Iran is allowing a growing number of commercial ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies. Maritime intelligence companies Windward and MarineTraffic have recorded a recent increase in transits, nearly doubling the numbers seen in previous days. This follows a significant drop in traffic, exceeding 95%, since the start of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The increased transits appear to be permission-based, primarily benefiting vessels from countries like China and India. The disruption in traffic had previously caused a surge in oil prices, rising more than 40% to above $100 per barrel.

During the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, Iran has partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipments. While initially declaring the strait closed to all vessels except those from non-US allied nations, Iran has since allowed some ships from select countries to pass through. Pakistan, India, and Turkiye have confirmed that some of their vessels have been granted safe passage. The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that other countries have requested passage, with decisions being made by the Iranian military. The blockade has caused a significant surge in global oil prices, increasing by over 40 percent since the war began in late February 2026.

For the first time since February 28, when the US and Israel began military strikes on Iran, no ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to maritime tracking data. This marks a significant drop from the previous seven-day average of 2.57 daily transits. Maritime analytics firm Windward noted that approximately 400 ships were positioned in the Gulf of Oman, suggesting they are waiting for the Strait to reopen. While some ships linked to Pakistan and Turkey passed through the corridor on Friday, global shipping routes are shifting, with increased traffic around the Cape of Good Hope and decreased transits through the Suez Canal. The situation reflects disruption across energy infrastructure, logistics, and maritime policy frameworks.