Iran’s control of Strait of Hormuz shipping during US-Israel war on Iran
Consensus Summary
Since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, 2024, Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for 20% of global oil and one-third of global fertilizers—by attacking ships and imposing a ‘safe corridor’ near Larak Island. Daily traffic plummeted from 138 vessels to just 5-6, with over 20 ships hit, including the Skylight tanker whose Indian crew died. Iran now charges up to $2 million for transit, with at least two vessels paying, while allowing friendly nations like China and India to negotiate passage. Both sources agree on the toll system and Iran’s oil export resilience (1.6 million barrels/day), but differ on exact transit numbers and payment currencies. International efforts, including a UK-hosted summit, aim to reopen the strait, though risks remain as IRGC factions may still disrupt vessels despite official approval.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Strait of Hormuz saw a 95% drop in daily traffic (from ~138 ships/day pre-war to ~5-6 ships/day) since February 28, 2024, per Joint Maritime Information Center and ABC/Lloyd’s List.
- Iran has established a ‘safe corridor’ near Larak Island (northern Iranian waters) for vessel transit, diverting ships from the central shipping lane, as reported by Lloyd’s List and ABC.
- More than 20 ships have been attacked or suffered near-misses in the region since the conflict began, including the Palau-flagged Skylight tanker (Indian crew deaths), per Guardian and ABC.
- Iran’s IRGC has imposed a de facto ‘toll booth’ system, with at least two vessels reportedly paying $2 million (£1.5m) for transit, per Guardian and ABC (Alaeddin Boroujerdi’s quote).
- Iran’s crude oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels per day (March 1–23), per TankerTrackers data cited by ABC and Guardian’s reference to Lloyd’s List.
- India’s Pine Gas LPG Carrier and two LPG tankers transited the strait in March, with Indian Navy escorts coordinating with Iran, per ABC and Guardian’s mention of Indian diplomatic efforts.
- China and India are engaging in direct talks with Tehran to secure safe passage for their vessels, per Lloyd’s List (ABC) and Guardian’s diplomatic references.
- The US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, 2024, leading to the effective closure of the strait, per Guardian and ABC’s timeline.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The UN’s IMO has warned of 20,000 stranded seafarers in the Gulf facing dwindling supplies, with 1,000 vessels anchored due to safety risks, per Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
- Israel killed IRGC navy head Alireza Tangsiri on March 22, allegedly responsible for the strait’s closure, per Guardian’s direct attribution.
- Iran’s ‘safe corridor’ is described as a ‘tollbooth’ with IRGC factions potentially delaying or seizing vessels despite official clearance, per Lloyd’s List analysts.
- Two cargo ships entered the Gulf on March 24 hugging the Oman coastline with transmitters off, per Windward data (Guardian).
- Britain offered to host an international security summit to reopen the strait, per Guardian’s diplomatic efforts section.
- Iran’s IRGC is finalizing a new law to formalize the toll booth regime, expected to be approved next week, per Alaeddin Boroujerdi’s quote to Iranian state media.
- Pakistan-owned Karachi was the first non-sanctioned oil tanker to transit the strait on March 15, broadcasting its location near Iranian waters, per ABC’s tracking data.
- Greek-owned ships account for the second-highest number of strait transits due to high charter prices driving risk-taking, per Dr Sal Mercogliano (ABC).
- A Japanese-owned bulk carrier (flagged as ‘CHINA OWNER’) transited the strait bound for Australia, per ABC’s exclusive reveal.
- China’s 90% reliance on Iranian oil exports is cited as a reason for Tehran’s willingness to allow Chinese vessels through, per Sir John Jenkins’ analysis (ABC).
- Iran’s Kharg Island hosted one oil tanker and two supertankers on March 17, per Sentinel Hub satellite imagery (ABC).
- India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated there is no ‘blanket arrangement’ for Indian-flagged ships, per ABC’s quote.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports 100 ships exited the Gulf and 40 entered in March, totaling ~138 ships for the month, while ABC states only ~150 ships transited March 1–26 (including 46 tankers).
- The Guardian cites Lloyd’s List saying no vessels have been damaged since March 22, but ABC does not provide a specific date cutoff for attacks or damages.
- The Guardian mentions Iran’s toll payments were made in Chinese yuan due to US/EU sanctions, while ABC does not specify currency for the $2m tolls.
- The Guardian attributes the strait’s near-closure to the US-Israel war starting ‘four weeks ago’ (mid-March), while ABC ties it to February 28, 2024.
- ABC claims Iran’s oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels/day (March 1–23), but the Guardian does not provide a specific export volume—only that supplies are ‘unimpeded’.
Source Articles
‘Tehran’s tollbooth’: a visual guide to how a trickle of ships still passes through strait of Hormuz
Many of the vessels willing to make the crossing are taking an alternative route through Iranian waters Threats to shipping have effectively closed the strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war on Iran...
'You're going to run the strait': The financial incentive for braving Iran's blockade
Iran is running one of the world's most critical shipping lanes as a "toll booth" and has likely made hundreds of millions of dollars of extra income from selling its own oil since the US and Israel w...