Hormuz traffic collapses to four vessels as Brent holds above $107
Preliminary ship-tracking data show Monday transits fell to four vessels from ten the previous day, while oil markets extended their rally on fears Saudi Arabia may cancel crude cargoes after pipeline damage.
Quick summary
Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz totaled just four on Monday, down from ten the previous day, based on preliminary Kpler data reported by Reuters and Iran International. The four vessels comprised two dry bulk carriers exiting and two empty oil tankers entering, according to Iran International. Brent crude held above $107 per barrel on Monday, with multiple outlets reporting prices around $107–$108 as traders assessed supply risks from the offline Saudi East–West pipeline and continuing attacks on ships. CNBC reported that U.S. oil topped $106 as Saudi Arabia reportedly canceled some crude cargoes following the pipeline closure, and Goldman Sachs warned that the infrastructure strikes materially raise the odds Brent could exceed $120.
Key points
- Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell from ten on Sunday to four on Monday—two dry bulk carriers exiting and two empty oil tankers entering—according to preliminary Kpler data.
- Brent crude held above $107 per barrel and U.S. WTI above $102–$103 on Monday, extending the rally driven by attacks on Saudi infrastructure and heightened Hormuz risks.
- CNBC reported that Saudi Arabia has reportedly canceled some crude cargoes following closure of its East–West pipeline, raising fears of tighter supply.
- Goldman Sachs warned that the infrastructure strikes materially increase the odds that Brent could exceed $120 per barrel.
- Iran International cited TankerTrackers analysis showing bi-directional daytime VLCC traffic through Hormuz, but overall shipping remained sharply reduced compared with the 10-day average of 14 vessels.
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.
- New
One killed in vessel strike off Qeshm
One person was killed and three wounded when a vessel was struck off Qeshm, escalating risks for commercial shipping in the region.
- New
Iranian ship attacked in Strait, Saudi pipeline damaged
An Iranian ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and a Saudi pipeline was damaged in a drone strike, prompting oil futures to jump more than 3 percent.
- New
Brent crude reaches $107.82–$108
Brent crude rose to about $107.82 per barrel (Al Jazeera) or over $108 (The Independent) on Monday, with WTI climbing to $103.22, as markets reacted to the latest attacks.
- New
Hormuz traffic remains in single digits over weekend
Preliminary ship-tracking data showed daily vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz falling to single digits over the weekend, well below the 10-day average of 14.
- New
Hormuz traffic collapses to four vessels
Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz totaled just four on Monday—two dry bulk carriers exiting and two empty oil tankers entering—down from ten the previous day, according to preliminary Kpler data.
- New
Brent holds above $107; U.S. oil tops $106
Brent crude held above $107 per barrel on Monday, with outlets reporting levels around $107–$108, while U.S. WTI rose above $106 as traders assessed supply risks from the offline Saudi pipeline and continuing attacks.
- New
Saudi Arabia reportedly cancels crude cargoes
Saudi Arabia reportedly canceled some crude cargoes following closure of its East–West pipeline after attacks, according to CNBC, tightening supply expectations.
- New
Goldman warns Brent could exceed $120
Goldman Sachs warned that the infrastructure strikes materially raise the odds that Brent crude could exceed $120 per barrel.
- New
Bi-directional VLCC traffic observed through Hormuz
TankerTrackers analysis showed bi-directional daytime VLCC traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, though overall shipping remained sharply reduced.
Claim tracker
30 confirmed · 3 contested · 2 unverified
- Confirmed
US forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers on September 8/9 after IRGC ballistic missile attacks on US warships
3 agreeing - Confirmed
The targeted tankers were struck in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island
3 agreeing - Confirmed
Crews were directed to abandon ship before the tankers were struck
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Brent crude settled above $100 per barrel on Tuesday
3 agreeing - Confirmed
Only six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran struck a US base in Jordan in response to US tanker strikes
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Brent crude surged to $105.26 per barrel on Wednesday, the highest close since late July
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran claimed it attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in response to US destruction of five Iranian tankers
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Only nine commodity vessels transited one monitored channel as of Wednesday
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Only seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The seven vessels on Thursday included two outbound Panamax ships and five inbound vessels
1 agreeing - Confirmed
The recent 10-day average for Hormuz transits is 15 vessels
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Oil prices are set to end the week above $100 per barrel
2 agreeing - Confirmed
NATO is not involved in mine-clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Iran has warned it will escalate its response if there are further US attacks
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Oil prices have remained above $100 per barrel since September 3
3 agreeing - Confirmed
One person was killed and three wounded in a vessel strike off Qeshm
1 agreeing - Confirmed
An Iranian ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14
2 agreeing - Confirmed
A Saudi pipeline was damaged in a drone strike on September 14
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Brent crude reached about $107.82 per barrel on Monday
1 agreeing - Confirmed
WTI reached $103.22 per barrel on Monday
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Daily vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to single digits over the weekend
3 agreeing - Confirmed
The 10-day average for Hormuz transits is 14 vessels
3 agreeing - Confirmed
Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz totaled just four on Monday, down from ten the previous day
Based on preliminary Kpler data reported by Reuters and Iran International.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The four vessels on Monday comprised two dry bulk carriers exiting and two empty oil tankers entering
Iran International citing data.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Brent crude held above $107 per barrel on Monday
Multiple outlets reported levels around $107–$108.
4 agreeing - Confirmed
U.S. WTI oil topped $106 per barrel on Monday
CNBC reported WTI above $106.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Goldman Sachs warned that infrastructure strikes materially raise the odds Brent could exceed $120
CNBC cited Goldman Sachs analysis.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Bi-directional daytime VLCC traffic was observed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday
Iran International citing TankerTrackers analysis.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Four commodity vessels exited the Persian Gulf over the weekend and ten entered
Iran International citing Reuters data for weekend traffic.
1 agreeing - Contested
No US Navy warship was struck by Iranian missile attempts
1 agreeing · 1 conflicting - Contested
US forces have destroyed 10 Iranian tankers since September 5
1 agreeing · 1 conflicting - Contested
Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked 20 US vessels attempting to transit Hormuz
1 agreeing · 1 conflicting - Unverified
Three of the five Iranian tankers destroyed on September 8 were linked to Russia's shadow fleet
1 agreeing - Unverified
Saudi Arabia reportedly canceled some crude cargoes following closure of its East–West pipeline
CNBC reported the cancellations but did not cite an independent confirmation.
1 agreeing
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?
- Who was responsible for the attack on the Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14?
- Who carried out the drone strike on the Saudi pipeline on September 14?
- What is the identity and flag of the vessel struck off Qeshm on September 13?
- Are U.S. forces escorting covert shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and if so, how many?
- How many crude cargoes has Saudi Arabia canceled, and what volumes do they represent?
- When does Saudi Arabia expect to restore the East–West pipeline?
- What is the total daily oil supply disruption resulting from the Saudi pipeline closure and Hormuz transit collapse?
- What portion of global VLCC traffic is now avoiding the Strait of Hormuz entirely?
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
- Hormuz shipping traffic collapses to seven vessels as oil prices hold above $100
- Brent crude breaks $108 as new strikes hit Iranian ship and Saudi pipeline
- 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.
- Al Jazeera — Iran war live
- Reuters — Hormuz traffic dwindles after Middle East attacks intensify
- Iran International — Hormuz commodity traffic falls to four vessels as attacks intensify
- RTÉ — Iran-Gulf talks delayed as oil supply concerns deepen
- The Independent — Iran-US war latest: Trump claims Houthis asked US not to ...
- CNBC TV18 — Brent near $107; Oil prices rise as Saudi pipeline outage adds to West Asian supply concerns
- Morgan Downey's Commodity News — Morgan Downey's Commodity News · Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- CNBC — U.S. oil tops $106 as Saudi Arabia reportedly cancels some crude cargoes after pipeline closure