Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains unusually light this week following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 8. The strategic waterway, which handles about 21% of global oil shipments, saw a sharp decline after Iranian authorities temporarily closed it in response to escalating regional tensions.
The closure came hours after Israel launched renewed attacks on southern Lebanon earlier this week. While Iran reopened the strait yesterday under the ceasefire terms, only 15 vessels have been granted passage as of April 9 under new restrictions reported by TASS news agency.
Maritime analysts warn the limited traffic could disrupt global energy markets if sustained. "This chokepoint's stability affects every economy," said Gulf shipping expert Fatima Al-Marzouqi. "Even short-term restrictions create ripple effects."
The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet has deployed additional patrols to monitor compliance with the fragile agreement. Meanwhile, oil prices fluctuated in Asian trading sessions as markets weighed the ceasefire's durability against ongoing Middle Eastern security concerns.
