By Saqib S. Qureshi
Senior Correspondent, USA
WASHINGTON — Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to a fraction of normal levels as President Donald Trump again declared that the United States has “total control” of the strategic waterway, even as Iran disputes Washington’s claim and negotiations remain stalled.
Only eight vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, according to Kpler data cited by CBS News, compared with roughly 130 to 140 vessels a day before the war. The latest figure was also below the recent 10-day average of about 12 ships per day.
Trump escalated his rhetoric Wednesday in a post on Truth Social, saying: “The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” He also described the U.S. naval blockade as a “wall of steel.”
Iran has rejected Trump’s assertion of American control and says the strait will not fully reopen unless Washington meets Tehran’s demands and changes its approach. The dispute has complicated diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring normal commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Despite the U.S. military presence, shipping companies remain reluctant to send vessels through the area because of the continuing risk of Iranian attacks and sharply higher war-risk insurance costs. The uncertainty has kept traffic far below pre-war levels and continues to put pressure on global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, meaning any prolonged disruption could continue to affect fuel prices, shipping costs and the wider global economy.