The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate, with Iranian-linked vessels reportedly navigating new maritime routes despite an expanded U.S. naval-led blockade, while Washington warns it may seize sanctioned ships anywhere in the world.
According to Bloomberg data, the number of vessels transiting the strategic waterway has dropped sharply to just 11 ships per day, compared with around 135 daily crossings before the outbreak of conflict, underscoring the severe disruption to one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
We spotted several more tankers today on satellite imagery which had made it past the blockade and are now in Iran. One actually even belongs to Iran. In addition to that, several sanctions-compliant tankers are heading to Iraq with their AIS transponders switched off.#OOTT…
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) April 15, 2026
The situation, now in its second month since the escalation began on February 28, has forced shipping companies to reroute vessels through alternative paths, including Fujairah in the UAE and the Gulf of Oman, as operators attempt to reduce exposure to inspections, delays, and potential interceptions.
Reports indicate that at least two Iran-linked, U.S.-sanctioned vessels recently crossed into the Gulf using an unconventional route near the Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm. One of the ships, a liquefied petroleum gas carrier identified as G Summer, was observed sailing toward Iraq’s Khor al-Zubair port, while a large crude tanker, Hong Lu, followed a similar trajectory after briefly signaling a destination in Basra.
Satellite tracking also showed additional vessels, including bulk carrier Rosalina, moving through the same corridor toward Iranian waters, while other ships adjusted routes along the edges of the Gulf of Oman in what analysts describe as circular or indirect navigation patterns designed to avoid enforcement zones.
The United States has escalated its enforcement posture, warning that all Iranian vessels and ships subject to OFAC sanctions may be boarded, inspected, or seized regardless of their location. The U.S. Navy’s Central Command stated that enforcement actions could extend beyond the Middle East, signaling a broader maritime risk environment for global shipping operators.
Despite the heightened restrictions, maritime traffic has not fully stopped. However, movements remain heavily constrained, with vessels required to coordinate clearance through multiple naval authorities to ensure passage. No loaded Iranian oil exports have been publicly recorded exiting the Strait since the blockade began, raising concerns over potential disruption to as much as 1.7 million barrels per day of crude flows.
Bloomberg tracking data shows modest fluctuations in daily traffic, but volumes remain far below historical norms. While early April saw around 16 ships per day, recent figures have declined further, reflecting tightening operational conditions and increased reliance on stealth routing and signal suppression technologies.
At the same time, shipping intelligence firms report that some vessels have managed to reach Iranian waters despite surveillance, while others bound for Iraq and neighboring ports appear to be navigating with transponders intermittently disabled.
Meantime, no direct maritime attacks have been reported since the start of the blockade.
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