Strait of Hormuz sees sharp drop in vessel traffic amid Iran-Oman negotiations FAST-MOVING

Strait of Hormuz vessel traffic Iran‑Oman agreement Nissos Kea Donald Trump

Only 33 commercial vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Thursday, down from 50 in the previous comparable period and far below the 130‑140 daily transits that occurred before Iran closed the strait after the Feb. 28 U.S.–Israel strike. On Thursday four ships passed, among them the VLCC Nissos Kea carrying roughly two million barrels of crude loaded at Basra, Iraq; the other three were two LPG carriers and one bulk carrier. Throughout the week six VLCCs exited the strait while 21 vessels entered, most via the Iranian coastal route.

Iran announced it has essentially reached an agreement with Oman on a temporary shipping route through the strait, but the opening depends on U.S. actions. U.S. President Donald Trump said the strait will reopen soon, that negotiations are proceeding well and that he is personally involved, though U.S. sanctions and port bans remain obstacles to a full reopening.

Entities: Donald Trump · Iran · Islamic Republic of Iran · Nissos Kea · Nissos Kea (VLCC) · Oman · Strait of Hormuz · Sultanate of Oman · United States (President Donald Trump)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 10 SOURCES] 33 commercial vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Thursday this week. (multiple)
[● 7 SOURCES] The number of vessels is down from 50 in the previous comparable period. (multiple)
[● 7 SOURCES] Four vessels passed on Thursday, including the VLCC Nissos Kea carrying about 2 million barrels loaded at Basra, Iraq. (multiple)
[● 7 SOURCES] Two of the vessels were LPG carriers and one was a bulk carrier. (multiple)
[● 7 SOURCES] A total of 21 vessels entered the strait, most via the Iranian coastal route. (multiple)
[● 8 SOURCES] U.S. President Donald Trump said the strait will reopen soon, that negotiations are going well, and that he is personally involved. (White House statements)
[● 7 SOURCES] Before Iran announced a closure after the U.S.–Israel strike on Feb. 28, traffic had been 130‑140 vessels per day. (historical data)
[● 7 SOURCES] Six VLCCs exited the strait during the week. (multiple)
[● 10 SOURCES] Iran announced it has essentially reached an agreement with Oman for a new temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, pending U.S. approval. (multiple)
[● 9 SOURCES] Iran announced it has essentially reached an agreement with Oman on a new temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, pending U.S. approval. (Iranian foreign ministry statements)
[● 7 SOURCES] U.S. President Donald Trump said the strait will reopen soon, negotiations are going well, and he is personally involved. (multiple)