Hormuz Reopening Likely to Unfold in Weeks as Backlog Clears

The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen after roughly four months of disruption, but industry officials warn the traffic restart will be gradual. A backlog of about 118 tankers could take 10–15 days to clear, with full normalization potentially taking weeks to months as authorities coordinate traffic management, permits, escort arrangements, insurance, and mine clearance. Oil and LNG shipments are likely to regain priority, while pricing remains sensitive to the pace of the restart; near-term oil prices dipped on news of a U.S.–Iran deal, but a durable recovery will depend on a stable operating environment and ongoing security assurances.