Preliminary shipping data showed on Monday that 12 cargo-laden vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and Sunday, compared with 35 at the start of the previous week, amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and growing concerns about the safety of navigation through one of the world’s most important energy-trade corridors.
The figures do not include some vessels that may have passed through the strait after switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitters to avoid detection, meaning the data provide only an initial picture of transit activity.
Routes redirected for 109 commercial vessels
U.S. Central Command said its forces had redirected the routes of 109 commercial vessels as of September 20, 2026, as part of measures it said were aimed at ensuring «full compliance with the blockade» imposed on Tehran.
The decline in maritime traffic comes as reciprocal threats and attacks continue in the region, increasing uncertainty among shipping companies about passage through the strait.
Military escalation between Washington and Tehran
The Iranian military said on Sunday evening that it had shot down an «Orbiter» reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iranian air-defense systems had hit and destroyed it at 18:30 local time in the southeastern part of the country.
The Unified Combat Command of the Iranian forces said Tehran had received information indicating that the United States was preparing to resume combat operations, warning that any U.S. attack would be met with «continuous strikes against U.S. bases and interests».
U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said «something very big may happen very soon regarding Iran», and that the options included «wiping out Iran», allowing it to «economically rot», or reaching «a deal and agreement». He also spoke of the possibility of «blowing up all of Iran» and urged Iranian officials to «behave themselves».
Transit activity remains below prewar levels
The Strait of Hormuz saw an average of about 125 large commercial vessels pass through each day before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran broke out on February 28, including oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers and container ships. The corridor carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.
Some vessels are attempting to use alternative routes near the Omani coast to reduce risks, while Iran insists that vessels must pass through the routes it designates. Tehran had established an authority to manage traffic in the strait and threatened to take action against vessels it says violate Iranian transit rules, including fines, detention and cargo seizures.
The continuing tensions have kept shipping activity and oil and gas flows through the strait at levels far below normal, increasing risks to supply chains and global energy trade.
