Hormuz Strait: Divided claims of control as traffic stays well below normal

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below normal amid Iran–US tensions, with UKMTO data showing AIS transits roughly 90% below pre-conflict levels and only a modest late‑August uptick. Officials describe a divided reality: a northern route largely Iranian‑controlled and a southern route overseen by the U.S. Navy, while U.S. and Iranian figures offer conflicting claims of blockades versus openness. The International Chamber of Shipping says traffic is down but not stopped, and oil flows are estimated at about 9 million barrels per day leaving the Strait, with total flows near 15 mbpd when pipelines are included, plus private data noting ongoing movements and humanitarian risks for seafarers.