Hormuz traffic slumps as 22 ships are attacked in the Iran conflict

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed amid the US-Israel war on Iran: 279 ships transited Feb 28–Apr 12, far below the pre-war average, and only 45 have done so since the Apr 8 ceasefire; 22 ships have been attacked in the strait across UAE, Oman, Iraqi, Qatari, Bahraini, Kuwaiti, Saudi and Iranian waters. Earlier, at least three tankers entered the Gulf via Hormuz, and two US-sanctioned vessels (Rich Starry and Elpis) passed, not affected by the blockade as they weren’t heading for Iranian ports. CENTCOM says the blockade of maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports began this week. Iran has warned of retaliation and ordered ships to use a new north-of-Larak navigation route due to anti-ship mines. The disruption has hit global oil and gas flows.