15 Ships Cross Strait of Hormuz Since US Blockade Started Monday
Fifteen ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the US started a blockade on Monday, with nine of those vessels having links to Iran. The BBC tracked the ships using data that shows which vessels are moving through the narrow waterway.
Fifteen ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the US started a blockade on Monday, with nine of those vessels having links to Iran, according to BBC analysis of ship-tracking data.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that serves as a critical shipping route for oil tankers and cargo vessels heading to and from the Persian Gulf.
Before the blockade began, ship traffic was higher. The BBC tracked 18 vessels passing through the strait between the breakdown of ceasefire talks and when Trump announced the blockade on Sunday evening. At least 16 of those ships appeared to have Iranian connections.
The shipping restrictions are part of broader tensions in the region. Since a wider conflict with Iran began, 279 ships have passed through the strait and 22 have been attacked, according to ship-tracking data from Al Jazeera.
The strait handles about one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, making it one of the most important waterways for global energy supplies. Any major disruption to shipping there typically causes oil prices to rise worldwide.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint where about 20% of the world's oil passes through. Any disruption to shipping there can drive up gas prices and affect global trade, making everyday goods more expensive.
Watch for more shipping data as the blockade continues and whether oil prices rise further due to reduced traffic through the strait.
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