Full Breakdown
Shipping Companies Avoid U.S.-Guided Transits Through the Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Attacks
7/15/2026, 9:51:08 PM
Core Development
Since the Iran-Israel war began on February 28, Iranian forces have mined the central Traffic Separation Scheme of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels onto makeshift routes near the Iranian or Omani coasts. In early July 2026, the United States launched a military-guided transit program that used drones, helicopters and covert ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing. Within a week, five ships—including three crude supertankers, one LNG tanker and one container ship—were attacked in Omani waters that fall under the U.S. scheme. Shipping companies, citing crew safety, are increasingly refusing to use the U.S.-coordinated Omani route.
Official U.S. Position and Operational Data
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz “is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran.” A defense official (anonymous) said more than 100 vessels had directly coordinated with the U.S. military in the past seven days and over 300 had passed through the region overall, though volumes remain below pre-war levels. The U.S. Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center raised the risk rating for the strait to “severe,” one step below “critical,” after three tanker attacks. The Navy noted that while it would advise crews, real-time threat communication could be limited.
Industry Concerns and Safety Assessments
Multiple maritime-security sources argue that the U.S. claim the strait is “not closed” creates uncertainty for operators. Greek security firms Diaplous and MARISKS issued advisories on July 15 warning that the threat environment remains high and that there is no assurance of an acceptable safety level for transits, recommending pauses in voyages. Analyst Torbjorn Solvedt of Verisk Maplecroft said Iran’s ability to target ships makes the Trump administration’s solution “unlikely to work.”
Recent Attacks and Risk Statistics
Since July 7, five vessels have been struck in Omani waters, and two additional tankers were attacked in open waters outside the strait. Around nine Greek-operated LNG tankers that entered the Gulf via Hormuz in the past week remain stuck inside the strait due to security concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The U.S. doesn't seem to have any control over the situation,” — Shipping source
- “Iran’s continued ability to target ships sailing through the Omani route means the Trump administration’s proposed solution to keep ships moving is unlikely to work,” — Torbjorn Solvedt, Principal Middle East Analyst, Verisk Maplecroft
- “is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran” — President Donald Trump, Truth Social post (July 15, 2026)
- “ Greek maritime security company Diaplous said in an advisory on Tuesday that the threat environment remains high and advised shipping companies to pause voyages until Saturday.” — Diaplous advisory (July 15, 2026)
