Hormuz ship traffic dropped on Sunday after Iran announced 'closure'

The number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Sunday after Iran announced it had again restricted passage through the strategic waterway, citing what it described as Israeli and US violations of the interim peace agreement.

Shipping analytics firm Kpler recorded just five vessels transiting the strait on Sunday, down from 26 vessels the previous day, according to shipping data.

The vessels included three Very Large Crude Carriers, each carrying around two million barrels of Saudi crude oil or fuel oil. One of the tankers was reportedly bound for Japan. The figures may understate actual traffic, as some vessels switch off transponders while operating in the Gulf.

The Revolutionary Guards announced new restrictions on Saturday, arguing that continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon amounted to a violation of the understandings underpinning the diplomatic process.