Only Four Vessels Cross Hormuz Amid US-Iran Escalation

(MENAFN) Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ground to a near-standstill on Tuesday, with ship-tracking data compiled by media recording just four ships transiting the critical energy corridor in both directions over the past 24 hours — a stark reflection of deepening hostilities between Tehran and Washington.

Anadolu's latest figures, captured as of 0900GMT Tuesday, showed two vessels moving east to west and two traveling west to east through the strategically vital waterway.

Eastbound traffic comprised the Muara, a container ship shown as moored with Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates as its listed destination, and the Aurora — recorded in tracking data under the name Shimokita Maru — a limestone carrier shown in active transit bound for Umm Qasr in Iraq.

Heading in the opposite direction, westbound movements included the Nooh Gas, logged in the data as Luma, and the Pasargad 11. The Nooh Gas, an LPG tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas, was shown laden and in transit toward Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. The Pasargad 11, a general cargo vessel, was listed with Port Rashid in the UAE as its destination.

Notably, the Nooh Gas appears on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list, according to US Treasury records — adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile maritime environment.

The razor-thin vessel count highlights the persistent caution gripping one of the world's most consequential shipping lanes, through which a significant share of global crude oil, refined petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas ordinarily flows.

US Escorts, Iranian Claims Keep Risks Elevated
The trickle of commercial traffic coincides with intensifying military operations around the strait under Washington's "Project Freedom" initiative, a program designed to shepherd stranded vessels through the contested passage.

Danish shipping behemoth Maersk disclosed that one of its US-flagged commercial ships, the Alliance Fairfax, successfully exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on May 4 under US military protection, stating the transit was completed "without incident" and all crew members were safe.

That passage followed a high-stakes confrontation in which two US Navy destroyers — the USS Truxtun and USS Mason — entered the Persian Gulf after repelling a barrage of Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats, according to media, citing US defense officials.

Iranian state media offered a sharply conflicting account on Tuesday, reporting that US forces killed five civilians after targeting two small cargo vessels in the strait. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency, quoting a military source, said the boats were transporting civilian goods from Khasab, Oman, toward Iran — directly contradicting Washington's position that it had engaged Iranian small boats posing a threat to commercial shipping.

The dueling narratives laid bare the escalating dangers confronting commercial operators navigating the Hormuz corridor.

Regional hostilities have been on a sharp upward trajectory since the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to strike back against Israel and US allies across the Gulf while simultaneously shutting the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation entered into force on April 8, though subsequent negotiations in Islamabad collapsed without a permanent resolution. US President Donald Trump later extended the truce indefinitely.

Since April 13, Washington has maintained a naval blockade specifically targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strait.

Despite the combustible atmosphere, Tehran signaled it is still weighing Washington's response to its latest 14-point diplomatic proposal — leaving the door to a negotiated settlement fractionally ajar.

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