Strait of Hormuz Remains Restricted Despite Ceasefire
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage for global oil supplies, continues to face significant restrictions. This comes despite a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which has not fully restored commercial shipping traffic. Official statements claim the waterway is open, but ship-tracking data reveals that only a few vessels, primarily linked to Iran, have transited the strait in the past 24 hours. This is a stark contrast to the pre-conflict average of approximately 140 ships daily.
The ongoing disruption is rooted in a broader conflict that escalated in late February 2026, when U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeted Iranian facilities. In retaliation, Iran effectively blocked the strait, laying naval mines and threatening unauthorized vessels. The Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman, is vital for global energy, handling about 20% of the world’s seaborne crude oil and significant liquefied natural gas shipments.
The ceasefire, announced around April 8, was contingent on Iran ensuring safe passage through the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a step toward reopening the route, claiming that U.S. forces had begun mine-clearing operations. However, Iran has denied these claims, asserting that foreign vessels must operate under its military oversight and pay substantial transit fees.
Shipping Activity and Economic Impact
Despite the ceasefire, shipping activity remains minimal. MarineTraffic and other tracking platforms reported that only seven ships passed through the strait shortly after the ceasefire, compared to normal volumes. Although a few supertankers have recently exited the Gulf, overall traffic is still below 10-15% of typical levels, with hundreds of tankers idling in the region.
Shipping executives describe a “wait-and-see” atmosphere, with major carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd warning that normal operations could take weeks or months to resume. The unresolved risks from uncharted mines, potential renewed hostilities, and soaring war-risk insurance premiums have made many operators hesitant to navigate the strait. Some vessels have even turned back at the last moment due to faltering negotiations.
The economic consequences of the ongoing restrictions are severe. Global oil prices, which initially dropped following the ceasefire announcement, have surged back toward $100 per barrel as supply disruptions continue. The closure has stranded over 1,000 vessels in the Persian Gulf, impacting exports from major oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. At its peak, the disruption affected about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Shipping Backlog Intensifies as Iran Restricts Strait of Hormuz Access
UAE officials have been vocal about the situation, with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber stating that “the Strait of Hormuz is not open.” Regional leaders are urging for an unconditional reopening to stabilize energy markets and global trade. Iran maintains that the strait is open but under its control, requiring coordination with its military forces for safe passage.
As peace talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations continue, the situation remains precarious. Disagreements over mine clearance responsibilities and security guarantees have stalled progress, raising concerns that the ceasefire could collapse. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the Strait of Hormuz can return to normalcy or if further disruptions loom on the horizon.
