Hormuz shipping traffic collapses to seven vessels as oil prices hold above $100
Ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to single digits on Thursday, marking a new low since the tanker war intensified, while Brent crude remained above $100 per barrel.
Quick summary
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed to seven vessels on Thursday, according to preliminary data from ship tracker Kpler, down from nine the previous day and well below the recent 10-day average of 15. The seven vessels included two outbound and five inbound ships. Oil prices remained above $100 per barrel as the tanker war between the United States and Iran continued to constrain global energy transit routes, with multiple outlets reporting that the sharp drop in transits underscores heightened risk to one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. NATO confirmed the Strait of Hormuz falls outside its mandate, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte stating the alliance is not involved in mine-clearance operations in the waterway.
Key points
- Only seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, the lowest count recorded in the conflict to date.
- The seven vessels included two outbound Panamax ships and five inbound vessels carrying various cargoes, all tracked with positioning systems active.
- Oil prices are set to end the week above $100 per barrel as the tit-for-tat tanker attacks constrain physical supply.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance is not involved in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz, as the waterway falls outside NATO territory.
- Iran has warned it will escalate its response if there are further U.S. attacks on Iranian tankers.
How it unfolded
- New
War begins
The US and Israel launch Operation Epic Fury. Ali Khamenei is killed in the opening strikes.
- Changed
Ceasefire reached, then collapses
The first attempt to halt the fighting does not hold.
- Changed
Second attempt fails
A new memorandum of understanding fails to produce a lasting halt to the conflict.
- New
Operation Economic Outcast
Washington targets more than 60 Iran-linked entities with new sanctions.
- New
Hormuz corridor proposed
Iran and Oman propose a temporary shipping corridor through the strait, as Qatar also pursues mediation.
- ChangedContested
Strait declared cleared
CENTCOM announces that Iranian-placed mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz.
- New
US strike on Larak Island
US forces strike two IRGC rocket-launcher positions, saying they posed an imminent threat to shipping.
- New
Iran responds
The IRGC confirms casualties, condemns the attack and promises retaliation.
- NewContested
New escalation
Iran launches retaliatory missiles and drones toward US bases in Jordan and the UAE. Jordan reports intercepting eight missiles.
- New
Economic impact
Brent crude rises above $90 as markets react to renewed escalation.
- New
Iran appeals for interim deal compliance
Iran urges the US to comply with what it describes as an interim deal, while Trump threatens further strikes.
- New
US launches new strikes near Hormuz
The United States launches a new barrage of airstrikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz.
- New
Brent crude hits intraday high near $99
Brent surged to about $99.38 per barrel before settling in the $95–$97 range as markets priced in heightened supply risk.
- New
Iran strikes Kuwait
Iran launched missiles and drones at Kuwait, expanding Operation Punishment of the Aggressor.
- New
US carries out second round of strikes
The United States hit Iranian radar, missile and mine-laying infrastructure in a second wave in three days.
- New
Hormuz transits fall to single digits
Tanker flows through the strait dropped to as few as six vessels on recent days, versus a rolling average near 13.
- New
U.S. strikes Iranian tankers off Kharg Island
U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers off Kharg Island in response to earlier Revolutionary Guard attacks on U.S. warships.
- New
Iran attacks tankers for using unauthorized route
Iran said its forces targeted three oil tankers using an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three U.S.-linked vessels elsewhere.
- New
Hormuz traffic collapses to 10-day average of 10 vessels
Commodity vessel transits averaged 10 per day over 10 days, the lowest since May. Only two transited on Saturday and six on Sunday.
- New
No VLCC has exited Hormuz since Wednesday
No very large crude carrier has left the strait since Wednesday, reflecting intensified security risks.
- New
Brent touches six-week high near $98
Brent crude settled around $97.31 after an intraday high of about $98.06. Brent rose roughly 8% over the prior week and WTI nearly 10%.
- New
U.S. destroys five Iranian oil tankers
U.S. forces struck five Iranian crude oil tankers near Kharg Island and Jask after IRGC ballistic-missile attacks on two U.S. warships. Named vessels include M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1 (permanently disabled) and M/T Kylo (completely destroyed).
- New
Iran retaliates, warns ships using unauthorized Hormuz route
Iran's IRGC said it targeted three tankers using an unauthorized route through Hormuz and three U.S.-linked vessels elsewhere, warning other vessels they will be targeted if they follow the same route.
- New
Hormuz traffic falls to seven vessels Monday
Only seven commodity vessels transited the strait on Monday, compared with eight on Sunday, sustaining the near-freeze in tanker flows.
- New
Brent touches $99.46, highest since July 24
Brent crude briefly reached $99.46 per barrel on Tuesday as tanker strikes and Hormuz transit risks intensified.
- New
U.S. strikes five more Iranian tankers
US forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers—Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco and Derya—in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island after the IRGC twice attempted ballistic missile attacks on a US Navy warship over the previous two days. CENTCOM said crews were directed to abandon ship before the strikes.
- New
CENTCOM confirms no US warship hit
US Central Command emphasized that no US Navy warship had been struck by Iranian missile attempts, calling Iranian claims of hits 'completely FALSE' and saying all attempted attacks failed.
- New
Ten Iranian tankers destroyed since Sept. 5
CENTCOM said US forces have now destroyed 10 Iranian tankers since September 5, describing them as part of a multibillion-dollar 'shadow network' used to fund the IRGC.
- New
Brent crude settles above $100
Brent crude settled above $100 per barrel on Tuesday, crossing the threshold for the first time since July 24 as the Middle East conflict escalated.
- New
Hormuz traffic drops to six vessels
Only six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, down from nine on Monday and well below normal averages, according to Kpler data.
- NewContested
Iran claims attack on 20 US vessels, Jordan base
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked 20 US vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and struck a US base in Jordan in response to US tanker strikes. CENTCOM disputes Iranian claims of successful hits on US vessels.
- Changed
Iran claims attack on 10 vessels near Hormuz
Iran said it attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in response to US destruction of five Iranian tankers. The IRGC warned it would escalate its response to any further attacks.
- New
Brent crude surges to $105.26
Brent crude jumped 4% to $105.26 per barrel on Wednesday, the highest close since late July, as tanker attacks and Hormuz risks deepened supply fears.
- New
Ship transits at key chokepoints plunge
Preliminary Kpler data showed only nine commodity vessels transited one monitored channel as shipping companies rerouted or halted voyages amid escalating attacks.
- Changed
Iranian strikes damage US aircraft in Jordan
Iranian strikes on a US military base in Jordan damaged multiple US aircraft, according to one outlet explicitly linking the attack to the earlier US destruction of Iranian tankers.
- New
Three destroyed tankers linked to Russia's shadow fleet
A Ukrainian sanctions official said three of the five Iranian tankers destroyed on September 8 were linked to Russia's shadow fleet.
- New
Hormuz traffic falls to seven vessels on Thursday
Preliminary Kpler data showed only seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from nine on Wednesday and well below the 10-day average of 15. The seven vessels included two outbound Panamax ships and five inbound vessels.
- New
NATO says Hormuz demining outside its mandate
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that the alliance is not involved in mine-clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz, stating the strategic waterway falls outside NATO territory.
Claim tracker
15 confirmed · 3 contested · 1 unverified
- Confirmed
US forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers on September 8/9 after IRGC ballistic missile attacks on US warships
Multiple outlets continue to confirm the strike.
- Confirmed
The targeted tankers were struck in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island
Outlets specify Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1 and Riesco in the Gulf of Oman, and Derya near Kharg Island.
- Confirmed
Crews were directed to abandon ship before the tankers were struck
CENTCOM instruction confirmed by multiple sources.
- Confirmed
Brent crude settled above $100 per barrel on Tuesday
Multiple outlets confirm the settlement.
- Confirmed
Only six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday
Confirmed by Kpler data in previous coverage.
- Confirmed
Iran struck a US base in Jordan in response to US tanker strikes
Multiple outlets confirm the strike and damage to US aircraft.
- Confirmed
Brent crude surged to $105.26 per barrel on Wednesday, the highest close since late July
Confirmed in previous coverage.
- Confirmed
Iran claimed it attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in response to US destruction of five Iranian tankers
Multiple outlets report Iran's claim, though independent verification of all 10 vessels is not provided.
- Confirmed
Only nine commodity vessels transited one monitored channel as of Wednesday
Confirmed by Kpler data in previous brief.
- Confirmed
Only seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday
Confirmed by US News & World Report, Press TV, Baystreet and HamerIntel, all citing Kpler data.
4 agreeing - Confirmed
The seven vessels on Thursday included two outbound Panamax ships and five inbound vessels
Specified by US News & World Report and Baystreet.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The recent 10-day average for Hormuz transits is 15 vessels
Press TV cites this figure.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Oil prices are set to end the week above $100 per barrel
The National and other outlets report prices holding above $100.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
NATO is not involved in mine-clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the strait is outside NATO's mandate.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran has warned it will escalate its response if there are further US attacks
UA.NEWS quotes the IRGC warning of intensified response.
1 agreeing - Contested
No US Navy warship was struck by Iranian missile attempts
CENTCOM asserts no US ship was hit; Iran's claims conflict.
- Contested
US forces have destroyed 10 Iranian tankers since September 5
CENTCOM claim; independent verification remains limited.
- Contested
Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked 20 US vessels attempting to transit Hormuz
CENTCOM disputes Iranian claims; observers question the claim.
- Unverified
Three of the five Iranian tankers destroyed on September 8 were linked to Russia's shadow fleet
Ukrainian official claim; no independent corroboration in new coverage.
What we still don't know
- What were the casualties or damage from Iran's claimed attack on the US base in Jordan, beyond the reported damage to multiple US aircraft?
- How many Iranian ballistic missiles were launched in the two attempted attacks on the US warship, and how were they evaded or intercepted?
- What is Iran's definition of the 'unauthorized route' through the Strait of Hormuz that it says justifies targeting vessels?
- How sustainable is the current level of Hormuz traffic for global oil supply?
- What is the total tonnage of Iranian crude capacity destroyed since September 5?
- How many Iranian tankers has the US actually destroyed since September 5—eight or ten?
- Which vessels did Iran claim to have attacked on September 10, and what was the outcome?
- What evidence supports the Ukrainian claim that three of the destroyed Iranian tankers were linked to Russia's shadow fleet?
- What is the actual vessel count through Hormuz, accounting for ships with positioning systems switched off?
- How many vessels have transited other key chokepoints such as Bab al-Mandeb during the same period?
- What specific actions, if any, is NATO considering to address the crisis despite the strait falling outside its mandate?
US–Israel war with Iran
- US strike on Larak Island triggers Iranian retaliation
- Trump threatens further strikes as Iran appeals for compliance with interim deal
- US launches new strikes around Strait of Hormuz; Iran expands retaliation beyond Jordan
- Brent crude hits intraday high near $99, settles around $96–$97 as Iran strikes expand to Kuwait
- Hormuz shipping collapses to lowest since May as US, Iran engage in tanker war
- US destroys five Iranian oil tankers after IRGC missile attack on warships
- Brent crude breaks $100 as US strikes five more Iranian tankers and Hormuz traffic falls to six vessels
- Brent crude surges to $105.26 as Iran claims attack on 10 vessels near Hormuz
- Brent crude breaks $108 as new strikes hit Iranian ship and Saudi pipeline
- Hormuz traffic collapses to four vessels as Brent holds above $107
- Brent jumps to $108–$109 as Saudi East–West pipeline shut down
- Brent retreats below $105 as Aramco targets partial pipeline restart within days
- Saudi Aramco suspends crude deliveries to India as pipeline repairs begin
Sources analysed
8 outlets in the analysed roster.
- Army Recognition — U.S. Naval Forces Destroy 5 Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Missile Attacks on U.S. Navy Warship
- HamerIntel — Daily Intelligence Brief — 2026-09-11
- Newswav — Iran-US war latest: Trump says he has no regrets about starting war after Houthis capture key Red Sea port
- U.S. News & World Report — Hormuz Shipping Traffic Falls to Single Digits, Data Shows
- IranWire — Beyond Missile Strikes: How 27 Undamaged Tankers Stranded in Asia Cut Iran's Oil Cycle
- The National — Oil prices set to end the week above $100 as Houthis seize key port city
- Investing.com — The Energy Report: A Day to Remember
- Press TV — NATO says Strait of Hormuz demining is outside its mandate