Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Hormuz traffic nears standstill as US vows indefinite Iran blockade
The Strait of Hormuz is a very important waterway in the Persian Gulf where big ships carry oil to the world.
Lately, some ships passing through were attacked, and the United States placed a blockade that stops Iranian ships from trading.
Because of the danger, almost no ships are going through the strait now.
The United States says it can keep the blockade going forever by sending different Navy ships to take turns.
Iran says it will keep the waterway closed until the United States removes sanctions and gives back its money.
The United Arab Emirates says Iran attacked two of its oil company's ships, but Iran has not said anything about that.
Oil prices have gone up a little, with Brent crude at about $87 per barrel.
Iran and America have been talking, but the talks have not made any progress.
The country of Oman is also involved because the United States wants Iran and Oman to make a deal to reopen the strait.
Many experts worry that if ships keep staying away, it could hurt the world's economy.
Transit through the Strait of Hormuz neared a standstill Friday after two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels were attacked, with the UAE blaming Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. Navy can maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely by rotating ships in and out.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged economic isolation measures 'never seen in history,' with new announcements coming next week.
Kpler data showed nine vessels crossed the strait Thursday versus an August average of 12; no crude shipments were visible Friday, versus over 130 daily crossings before the war.
Iran said talks have made no progress and it will not reopen the strait until sanctions are removed and frozen assets released, with Brent crude at about $87 a barrel.
- Who
- The United States (President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent), Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
- What
- Transit through the Strait of Hormuz neared a standstill after two more ships were attacked, as the U.S. vowed to maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely.
- When
- Friday, August 14, 2026, following attacks on Thursday evening.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
- Why
- Iran resumed attacks on ships it accuses of transiting the strait without its permission after a ceasefire broke down, and the U.S. is enforcing a retaliatory blockade to pressure Tehran amid stalled talks.
U.S. and UAE Perspective
Iranian Perspective
Strait control
U.S. and UAE Perspective
The U.S. asserts it has 'total control' over the Strait of Hormuz and can maintain its naval blockade indefinitely by rotating ships in and out.
Iranian Perspective
Iran denies U.S. claims of control and an Iranian parliamentary committee approved a plan banning the transit of U.S., Israeli and other 'hostile' countries' assets and equipment.
Blame for ship attacks
U.S. and UAE Perspective
The UAE blamed Iran for attacks on two of its state-owned oil company's vessels; Washington frames the attacks as Iran's wartime leverage.
Iranian Perspective
Iran says it attacks ships trying to transit the strait without its permission and made no immediate comment on the Thursday incident.
Conditions to reopen the strait
U.S. and UAE Perspective
The U.S. says it will lift the blockade once Iran and Oman reach an agreement to restore commercial shipping, and plans more economic pressure.
Iranian Perspective
Iran says the waterway will not reopen until economic sanctions are removed and its frozen assets are released.
- Brent crude price
- About $87 per barrel
- WTI crude price
- About $81 per barrel
- Vessels crossing Thursday
- 9, up from 5 on Wednesday
- August daily crossing average
- 12
- Pre-war daily crossings
- More than 130
- Friday traffic
- A grain ship and an empty dry bulk ship crossed; an empty LPG tanker sailed in; no crude shipments visible
- Ships attacked Thursday
- Two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels; UAE blamed Iran
- Blockade status
- Lifted for a month in mid-June, since reimposed by the U.S.
