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Hormuz Traffic Slumps to Three Ships Amid Attacks

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:52 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Hormuz Traffic Drops

Vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell to three ships on September 17, below its 10-day average of about 17.
Four vessels transited the strait on September 16, down from seven the day before and below the 10-day average of 18.
Conflict, including Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities and Saudi war plans against Yemen, has constrained Hormuz traffic.

Summary

U.S. Navy Transports

U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said U.S. forces moved over 900 million barrels of crude through Hormuz since early May.
Hawkins added U.S. forces redirected more than 100 ships attempting to breach the blockade.
Iranian maritime authority listed 77 vessels accused of violating transit protocols, warning of fines and detention.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran will not reopen the strait until the U.S. meets its demands.

History

Historical Context

In July 1987, after UN Resolution 598, the United States began Operation Earnest Will to escort Kuwaiti-flagged oil tankers through the Persian Gulf amid the Iran-Iraq war’s tanker phase. Commanded by Rear Admiral Harold Bernsen and supported by the Seventh Fleet, the convoy ran until September 1988, marking the largest naval escort since World War II.

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Hormuz Traffic Drops

Vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell to three ships on September 17, below its 10-day average of about 17.
Four vessels transited the strait on September 16, down from seven the day before and below the 10-day average of 18.
Conflict, including Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities and Saudi war plans against Yemen, has constrained Hormuz traffic.

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