Sarit Datta
20 Apr 2026
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed to ~5% of pre-war average after the US-Israel offensive against Iran began Feb 28
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked since February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by blocking the strait and laying sea mines.
On April 13, the US imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports. In the first 24 hours, over 10,000 US personnel, a dozen warships, and dozens of aircraft enforced the operation. By April 18, the US had intercepted 23 vessels, all of which complied with orders to turn back.
Pentagon officials told Congress it could take up to six months to fully clear Iranian-laid mines from the strait — and analysts warn that even residual mine risk may be enough to keep commercial insurers from certifying the waterway as safe, effectively halting global oil traffic regardless of any ceasefire deal.
Before the war, roughly 3,000 vessels passed through the strait monthly. In March, just 154 crossings were recorded — about 5% of the pre-war average — causing severe fuel shortages, especially across Asia.