As much as 36pc of all tanker traffic transiting the strait of Hormuz since the start of the US–Iran war either departed or were bound for Iranian ports, the sort of voyage Washington has indicated will be restricted from today as part of its naval blockade.
Of the 148 tankers that have transited the strait since 28 February, Iranian-linked voyages accounted for 53. Among these were 20 very large crude carriers (VLCC), five Suezmax, two Aframax and ten Medium Range (MR).
The US on Sunday said it will impose a naval blockade against vessels of all nationalities entering or departing Iranian ports, beginning at 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT) on 13 April. US president Donald Trump also warned ships complying with Iranian transit conditions, including the payment of tolls, could be stopped in international waters.
The US plan is to allow navigation through the strait of Hormuz to and from non Iranian ports, much of which is being prevented by Iranian control of the strait.
This move follows talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad over the weekend that ended without agreement and failed to reopen the strait. Since a ceasefire declared on 7 April, the waterway has largely remained under Iranian control, and the few ships that have passed through it appear to have either paid an unofficial toll to Tehran — believed to be the equivalent of $1/bl for crude tankers — or to have made other arrangements with the Iranian government.
Iran said it would respond to a US naval blockade of Hormuz by encouraging Yemen's Houthis to resume attacks in the Bab al-Mandeb waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Tehran also threatened to target ports across the Mideast Gulf if its own facilities are attacked.
The ceasefire agreement will be in place until 21 April, but it could be extended.
