Ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz has recovered by half

Lead

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has recovered to about half of its pre-war volume, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which also accused the United States of disrupting the gradual resumption of operations. The figures come amid ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, which had severely restricted movement through the vital waterway.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from TASS, the Russian state news agency, offers multiple perspectives on the situation. One article, citing the IRGC via Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, states that over the past two weeks "resistance fighters have stabilized the management of the Strait of Hormuz and ensured its security," and that they have "gradually reopened it, increasing its capacity to approximately 50% of the pre-war level." The IRGC also claimed that US interference "in determining movement routes" is "seriously disrupting the process of gradually resuming operations" of the strait.

A separate TASS report, dated June 26, provides its own calculations based on vessel movement data, indicating that 54 vessels transited the strait on June 25 — about half the pre-conflict daily average of 100–120. Before March 2026, an average of 100–120 vessels traversed the strait daily; after the conflict began, traffic was restricted for security reasons to roughly 10 per day.

Another TASS article, citing the Fars news agency and an unnamed source, reports that Iran's Armed Forces have opened the strait but will allow only a limited number of ships through daily. The source said the number of authorizations "will change every day depending on circumstances." The same article, citing the Financial Times, notes that the US and Iran give shipowners contradictory instructions on navigating the strait, leaving vessel owners in a difficult position.

A fourth TASS report, dated June 29, presents data showing a decline in traffic after the June 25 record. On June 26, 48 vessels sailed through; on June 27 and 28, numbers dropped to 38 and 22, respectively. Overall, 108 ships crossed between June 26 and 28.

Key Claims

• Traffic recovery to 50%: The IRGC, via IRIB, claims shipping levels through the Strait of Hormuz have reached approximately 50% of the pre-war level.

• Pre-war baseline: TASS reports that before March 2026, an average of 100–120 vessels traversed the strait daily.

• Traffic during conflict: After the conflict began, around 10 vessels crossed the waterway each day due to security restrictions, according to TASS.

• June 25 transit numbers: TASS calculated that 54 vessels transited the strait on June 25, with 39 heading toward the Gulf of Oman and 15 bound for the Persian Gulf. Of these, 24 followed a route along Oman's northern coast, 10 used the official IMO-approved lane, and eight passed near the Iranian island of Larak.

• Post-record decline: TASS data shows that after the June 25 peak, traffic declined for three consecutive days: 48 on June 26, 38 on June 27, and 22 on June 28. Among the 108 ships crossing between June 26 and 28, 40 used the Oman-proposed route, 37 took Iran's route near Larak, and nine used the IMO lane; the rest crossed with transponders off.

• Contradictory instructions: Citing the Financial Times, TASS reports that the US and Iran provide shipowners with contradictory navigation instructions, complicating decisions for vessels.

• US disruption: The IRGC claims US interference in determining movement routes is seriously disrupting the gradual resumption of strait operations.

Perspectives

Iranian military (IRGC): The IRGC asserts that resistance fighters have stabilized and secured the strait, gradually reopening it to about 50% capacity, and blames US interference for disrupting the recovery process.

Iranian government source (via Fars): An unnamed source indicated that Iran has opened the strait but will permit only a limited number of daily transits, with authorization numbers varying by circumstances.

Unidentified shipowners (via Financial Times): Vessel owners face contradictory instructions from the US and Iran, putting them in a difficult position, according to the Financial Times report cited by TASS.