Shipping traffic plummets in key Middle East straits amid US-Iran conflict
According to ship-tracking data released on Monday, maritime activity in two of the Middle East’s most critical shipping routes remains extremely low after months of conflict between the United States and Iran.
Global trade depends on sea lanes as the circulatory system of a living organism. When two main “arteries” of the Middle East – the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb – come under threat, it affects every person on the planet, from fuel prices to food costs. The conflict between Washington and Tehran has turned busy international waters into a zone of uncertainty, where even peaceful commercial vessels must navigate between military interests and safety demands.
According to MarineTraffic tracking data, at least three commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. Before the outbreak of hostilities, an average of about 110 ships traversed this vital waterway daily. Meanwhile, data showed that at least 37 commercial ships passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait over the same period.
The US Central Command issued a statement on Monday confirming that its forces have to date diverted 64 commercial vessels, disabled three ships and boarded two others to enforce regional maritime regulations.
The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is a critical chokepoint for oil exports from Gulf countries – about 30% of the world’s seaborne oil passes through it. The Bab el-Mandeb, located between Yemen and Djibouti, controls access to the Suez Canal and is a key route for goods moving from Asia to Europe. The decline in traffic on these routes has already led to higher insurance premiums for shipowners and increased logistics costs. The 60-day truce between the United States and Iran, which expired on Monday, failed to yield a breakthrough: both sides remain sharply divided over Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the Strait of Hormuz, with naval forces from both nations continuing patrols in the area.
As CCTV+ reports, the drop in shipping activity in these two key straits is a worrying signal for the global economy. As diplomatic efforts stall, cargo flows continue to shrink and risks to energy market stability grow. In the coming weeks, the international community will watch the situation closely, as it affects not only oil prices but also the fragile balance of power in the region.
