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Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply after Iran announced it was closing the waterway once again, according to ship-tracking data analyzed by maritime intelligence companies. The drop follows a series of escalations between the US and Iran, and comes as negotiators from both countries held talks in Switzerland.

Al Jazeera reported that a total of 12 vessels crossed the strait on Sunday, down from 35 transits the previous day, based on data from maritime intelligence company Windward. Windward also said that five of eight vessels entering the strait had their Automatic Identification Systems turned off. In a post on X, the company described the traffic profile as "dark, sanctioned, Iranian-linked, resembling the late-blockade baseline more than a functioning open strait."

Coverage comparison

TASS, citing Bloomberg and ship-tracking data, reported similar figures. One TASS report said commercial vessels transited the strait less frequently over the weekend, with 12 ships crossing in both directions on Sunday. That was less than half the number recorded on Saturday, when one of the tanker attacks occurred, with 28 transits that day. On June 24, before the latest escalation, 58 ships transited, the highest number since late February, TASS reported.

A later TASS report, again citing Bloomberg and ship-tracking data, said commercial traffic through the strait has "plunged to a minimum" as the US launched strikes against targets in Iran for two consecutive days. According to that report, vessel traffic was seen only in the northern part of the strait off the Iranian coast, along the so-called northern corridor, a route approved by Tehran. No activity was recorded in the southern part of the strait, known as the Oman corridor. Only two large vessels were reported to be transiting at that time: a US-sanctioned supertanker and an Iranian-flagged container ship. On Wednesday, 14 commercial cargo ships transited in both directions, compared to a pre-escalation average of 34 vessels a day, according to the TASS report.

Al Jazeera noted that maritime traffic had been showing signs of recovery after US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday on ending the US-Israel war on Iran. Twenty-five vessels transited the strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime intelligence provider Kpler.

Key claims

  • Ship tracking data shows a sharp drop in transits: 12 vessels crossed on Sunday, down from 35 the previous day, according to Windward data reported by Al Jazeera.
  • TASS, citing Bloomberg and ship-tracking data, reported 12 ships transiting on Sunday, 28 on Saturday, and 58 on June 24, the highest number since late February.
  • A separate TASS report cited data indicating only two large vessels were transiting the strait at one point, and that 14 commercial cargo ships transited on Wednesday.
  • Al Jazeera reported that five of eight vessels entering the strait had their Automatic Identification Systems turned off.
  • TASS reported that more than 800 commercial vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz with US Navy assistance since early May, citing a US Central Command statement.
  • The US Central Command denied claims that commercial vessel traffic is limited to a route approved by Tehran, stating "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," as reported by TASS.
  • Lloyd's List Intelligence reported 576 commercial voyages through the strait in June, compared to 3,100 in the same month of 2025, according to TASS.
  • Al Jazeera reported that US and Iranian negotiators held talks in Switzerland, describing them as "make-or-break."

Perspectives

US Central Command: As reported by TASS, the command said it has helped facilitate the transit of more than 800 commercial vessels since early May and denied that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, saying safe passage remains "intact." Al Jazeera also reported that CENTCOM denied Iran had closed the strait, with 55 merchant ships transiting that day.

Iranian authorities: Al Jazeera reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the waterway shut, citing Israeli "crimes" in Lebanon and the failure of the US to maintain a ceasefire. TASS reported that the Iranian state media have claimed commercial traffic is limited to a route approved by Tehran, a claim denied by CENTCOM.