The number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz's Omani shipping lanes has sharply decreased, and Iran continues to strengthen its control over the waterways.
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In the past three days, the US has escorted only 70 merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, down from the pre-conflict daily average of 138.
According to data released on Odaily 5 by the US-led Joint Maritime Information Center, a total of 70 merchant ships escorted by the US passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the 72 hours from July 2 to 4, lower than the pre-conflict daily average of 138 ships. The announcement also showed that the daily number of US-coordinated escort vessels passing through the Strait continued to decline: 33 ships on July 2, 29 on July 3, and 18 on July 4. The Strait of Hormuz currently has two navigation channels: the southern channel closer to Oman and the northern channel controlled by Iran. The announcement assesses the overall threat level of the Strait of Hormuz as "high," stating that there remains a risk of mines in the strait waters, and mine clearance and survey operations are underway throughout the area. The announcement also notes that the ongoing interference with global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) throughout the strait will continue to pose a threat to the safety of ship navigation.
Iran refuses to recognize the 1968 Strait of Hormuz navigation agreement and demands renegotiation of the rules of passage.
According to a report by The New York Times on June 30th, BlockBeats reported that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi reiterated this week Iran's permanent control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and refused to recognize the internationally recognized shipping lane arrangement established in 1968. This stance has strained the fragile ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. The shipping lane agreement, negotiated by then-officials from Iran and Oman and approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), primarily addresses the collision risks of supertankers navigating the narrow 24-mile-wide strait. It also has legal significance due to the overlap of Iranian and Omani territorial waters and the absence of neutral international waters in the central part of the strait. Gharibabadi stated that the agreement predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution, adding, "We have now informed Oman that these shipping lanes must be changed," and that both sides have decided to initiate expert and technical negotiations regarding the lane adjustments. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, believes that Iran, as a regional military power in the past, did not need to use its geographical location as leverage. However, officials now believe that traditional shipping lanes allow warships to pass through the Strait, posing a threat to Iran's security. Jennifer Parker, an expert at the Institute for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Western Australia, stated that Iran is packaging its position with a more legally sound narrative, aiming to maximize its bargaining power at the negotiating table. It is worth noting that Iran has previously laid mines in the Strait, effectively blocking the shipping lane established in 1968. The United States and Oman have recently attempted to establish an alternative passage in Omani waters south of the Strait, escorted by US forces. However, Gharibabadi reiterated on Monday that Iran will refuse to recognize any such parallel shipping lanes.
Iraqi Revolutionary Guard takes action against oil tanker in waters off the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CCTV, Odaily Odaily reports that on the 7th local time, Iranian sources stated that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took action against an oil tanker in the waters off the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz. The report also stated that, according to satellite monitoring data, US air power was providing air cover in the relevant waters when the tanker was intercepted.
Iran launches at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mars Finance, on July 7th, AXIOS reported that a US official stated that Iran fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Two merchant ships were hit and severely damaged, but there were no casualties.
Shipping data: At least five very large crude carriers (VLCCs) loaded with crude oil from Saudi Arabia have sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to trade sources and shipping data, at least five very large crude carriers (Odaily) have loaded a total of 10 million barrels of Saudi crude oil from Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura port and have sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz. (Jinshi)
The Strait of Hormuz now has three different shipping routes, making shipping more complex.
According to Mars Finance, on June 30th, CNN reported on June 29th that three different shipping routes have emerged in the Strait of Hormuz: The first route is located in the northern part of the strait and is controlled by Iran. The second route crosses the middle of the strait and was the regular international shipping route before the strait was blocked; the third route is located in the southern part of the strait, passing through the waters near Oman, and is coordinated by Oman, the United States, and the International Maritime Organization. Market analysts say that due to the different management of these multiple routes, the shipping order in the Strait of Hormuz has become more complex.