A Pakistani-flagged tanker has become the latest vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz along Iran’s coastline, signaling that ships may now need Tehran’s approval to pass safely through the strategic oil chokepoint, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran, now in its third week with at least 2,000 casualties, has disrupted maritime traffic in the strait, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG. US allies have declined President Donald Trump’s call for help to reopen the waterway, driving energy prices higher.
Vessel-tracking data shows the tanker Karachi sailed through a narrow gap between the Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm before entering the Gulf of Oman. Analysts suggest this route may reflect Tehran’s control over which vessels are allowed to transit safely, while other ships avoid sending signals due to security risks.
Experts warn that while these limited transits offer some reassurance, shipping remains restricted and energy flows are far below normal levels. Insurers and banks remain cautious, and the system effectively ties passage to political approval from Iran.
