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Images captured from Musandam, Oman, showcase vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz as of July 15, 2026 — Reuters
– The IRGC has claimed responsibility for attacks on two Emirati supertankers.
– Greek maritime companies are advising ships to postpone voyages due to escalating dangers.
– The United States maintains that the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible to commercial shipping.
Shipping firms are steering clear of a U.S.-guided transit route through the Strait of Hormuz following a series of Iranian assaults on ships, according to seven sources from the maritime and shipping sectors. For many years, vessels entered and exited the Gulf via a secure pathway established by the U.N. shipping agency in 1968, known as the Traffic Separation Scheme. Since Iran’s conflict began on February 28, Iran has mined the area, prompting ships to choose alternative, makeshift routes near either the Iranian or Oman coast.
In June, Reuters reported that the U.S. military had assisted vessels through this region as part of a covert operation involving numerous ship-to-ship oil transfers to sustain Gulf energy exports, utilizing aerial and water drones along with helicopters. This aid enabled the export of tens of millions of barrels of oil, helping mitigate the energy market impact caused by the largest disruption in oil and gas supplies on record.
However, shippers are now perceiving the Omani side of the strait as increasingly perilous following recent attacks on ships. Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility on Tuesday for assaults on two Emirati crude supertankers. Since July 7, approximately five ships, including three crude supertankers, one LNG tanker, and one container ship, have been targeted in Omani waters under the U.S. scheme, based on data analysis from the U.N. shipping agency. It remains unclear whether all these vessels were navigating the U.S.-endorsed route.
One shipping expert noted, “The U.S. appears to lack control over the situation,” and added that their company decided not to traverse the strait because of crew safety and security concerns. Torbjorn Solvedt, a senior Middle East analyst with Verisk Maplecroft, commented, “Iran’s continued ability to target ships on the Omani route suggests that the Trump administration’s proposed strategy to keep maritime traffic moving is unlikely to succeed.”
The White House spokesperson Olivia Wales stated that despite recent incidents, the Strait of Hormuz is still open and operational. “The Strait remains open, and oil continues to flow. Iran is engaging in acts of international terrorism by attacking peaceful commercial vessels, targeting and killing innocent civilians. The United States is responding decisively.”
A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that over the past week, more than 100 vessels coordinated with the U.S. military to transit the strait, with over 300 passing through the broader area, indicating that U.S.-led efforts are effective, even if current traffic volumes are below pre-conflict levels.
Iran issued threats on Wednesday to halt additional regional energy shipments following the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports by the U.S., coupled with increased strikes from both sides as they contest control over the strait. Tehran is hinting at the possibility of leveraging its Yemeni Houthi allies to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Red Sea, potentially opening a new front against the U.S. and threatening two of the world’s key shipping routes.
Several Greek-operated LNG tankers that had entered the Gulf via Hormuz for loading last week are now stuck within the strait amid security fears. Additionally, since July 7, two more tankers have been attacked in open waters outside the strait.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz “is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran.” The U.S. reimposed its sanctions blockade on Iran-related shipping on Tuesday. Last week, the U.S. Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center upgraded the risk level for ships in the region from “substantial” to “severe,” just below the “critical” highest level, following attacks on three tankers.
US authorities have advised shipping companies that, despite their efforts, real-time threat communication may be limited. Multiple sources indicate the U.S. has not provided complete clarity on the actual risks for ships traveling through the Omani route. One maritime security expert questioned, “If the U.S. states the strait is ‘not closed’ and remains open, why then do operators feel it is unsafe?”
Greek security firms, such as Diaplous and MARISKS, have issued advisories warning that the threat level remains high, recommending that voyages be postponed until at least Saturday to ensure safety.
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