Hormuz traffic dives to just 13 ships as US-Iran strikes escalate

Only 13 merchant ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, a sharp drop that shows how renewed fighting between the United States and Iran is scaring away commercial traffic. Data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that eight vessels left the Persian Gulf and five entered. The waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments. The low number reflects the growing risk for shipowners. The US and Iran have traded strikes in recent days, raising fears of a wider confrontation in the strait. For context, the Strait of Hormuz normally sees dozens of transits each day. The current figure is a fraction of that average, signaling that many firms are avoiding the route until tensions ease.