Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz surges as vessels increasingly use US-backed Oman route

According to data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reached nearly 200 vessels last week, up from 150 the previous week and 40 two weeks prior. This volume represents about 20% of pre-war levels. Maritime intelligence firm Kpler reports that over 80% of liquid cargoes in the last two weeks utilized the Omani route, a corridor authorized by the UN International Maritime Organization which Iran rejects. Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude oil analysis at Kpler, told CNN that it increasingly appears Iran has at least partially lost control of the strait. Over the past week, five vessels were struck by Iranian projectiles, resulting in damage and two casualties. The US has been quietly shepherding oil tankers through the strait since May using shadow fleet tactics, such as disabling radars and navigating near the Omani coast. President Trump recently stated that the strait has been de-mined and reopened, while announcing plans for severe economic sanctions against Iran. In response, Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, threatened an earthquake-like retaliation if the US takes action.