The strategically vital Strait of Hormuz stayed largely closed to normal commercial traffic Tuesday as the month-long Iran conflict continued, with only a handful of vessels transiting daily under tight Iranian oversight while the U.S. and allies debated military options to restore freedom of navigation and global oil flows.
Marine traffic data and reports from the Joint Maritime Information Center showed sharply reduced activity through the narrow waterway that normally carries about 20% of the world's traded oil, or roughly 138 vessels per day before hostilities escalated in late February. As of March 29, just six ships crossed — four freighters and two tankers — a fraction of pre-conflict levels, with many vessels loitering on either side or rerouting around Africa to avoid risks.
