Iran-US Tensions Cut Hormuz Traffic Below Monthly Average

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped below its monthly average near the end of the week, following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran over competing claims of control over the strategic waterway.

Iran’s newly appointed commander of the Basij paramilitary forces stated that the Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and management,” according to a Reuters report issued on Friday.

U.S. Signals Sustained Maritime Pressure

On Thursday, the United States asserted it can maintain its naval blockade against Iran indefinitely and confirmed plans to intensify economic pressure on Tehran amid stalled ceasefire negotiations.

Thursday’s Transit Figures

According to Kraken data covering the period from the start of August through today, commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose slightly on Thursday but remained below the month’s daily average of 12 ships.

A total of nine vessels transited the strait on Thursday — up from five the previous day. Of those, five entered the Gulf while four exited into the Gulf of Oman, most using the Iranian shipping route.

Adnoc Reports Two Tanker Attacks

As shipping risks persist, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) announced that two of its tankers came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening. No injuries were reported. The United Arab Emirates attributed the incident to Iran.

Bab el-Mandeb Transit Data

Kraken data also showed that 19 bulk cargo vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Thursday without disabling their automatic identification systems (AIS), a figure broadly stable after 20 vessels made the passage the day before.

The agency noted that some vessels may navigate major waterways with AIS transceivers switched off, meaning they are excluded from official transit tallies.