Sea traffic through Hormuz is increasing, says tracking data

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has seen a modest increase over the past 36 hours, according to vessel tracking data. U.S. officials told CNN on Sunday that the United States and Iran have temporarily halted military actions following recent clashes near the strait. Several large tankers were observed leaving the strait on Monday, following routes near the coast of Oman, including the Vaughan tanker carrying chemicals and crude oil destined for Fujairah in the UAE. Other vessels, such as the Das crude oil tanker and the Greek-operated Nissos Heraclea, followed similar southern routes out of the strait. Three container ships entered the Persian Gulf in the past three days, some linked to major traders involved in the conflict since its start. However, assessing overall traffic is difficult due to many vessels disabling their transponders. Tehran insists that ships need its permission to pass through the strait via designated routes, but an increasing number are using the route near the Omani coast, challenging Iranian influence. Some vessels still follow Iran’s designated routes, including the Star Kamila dry cargo ship entering the Persian Gulf on Monday. According to