U.S. Blockade Limits Shipping in Strait of Hormuz

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed largely limited on Saturday, with tracking data showing ten vessel movements compared to five the day before. Most observed traffic involved Iranian-linked ships, while broader commercial activity remained depressed. U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman. PetroVietnam Oil Corp. had appealed to Washington for the tanker's release.

U.S. Naval Actions and Iranian Response U.S.

Central Command reported on Saturday that it has diverted 78 commercial ships since imposing a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf of Oman. The blockade was introduced in response to Iranian disruptions of traffic in the Gulf. Iran said shipping through Hormuz would return to normal once the conflict ends.

President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will implement monitoring and control measures within the framework of international law. President Donald Trump is weighing the possibility of lifting sanctions on Chinese companies buying Iranian crude, according to the report.

Widespread interference with Automatic Identification System signals has made independent verification of ship traffic more difficult. Iran-linked vessels have been observed switching off AIS signals when approaching Hormuz, with signals often not restored until reaching the Strait of Malacca.

Transit counts may be revised upward later when ships reappear outside high-risk waters. U.S. naval presence may also be affecting observations of vessel movements.