Hormuz Shipping Falls Sharply as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Dubai: Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over one of the world’s key energy routes.

Preliminary data showed just 12 vessels carrying goods crossed the strait on Saturday and Sunday, compared with 35 during the early part of the previous week. The figures may not include ships that switched off their automatic identification systems.

The decline comes as Washington and Tehran exchange fresh threats of renewed military action. US Central Command said its forces had guided 109 commercial vessels through the waterway as of September 20.

Iran also said its air defences had shot down an Orbiter-style reconnaissance aircraft over the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned that “something big could happen” with Iran and presented several possible options, including a new deal or further military and economic pressure.

Shipping activity remains far below pre-war levels, when around 125 vessels were reported to cross the strategic waterway, underscoring the disruption facing global maritime trade.