5 days ago
Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz Open as Tanker Traffic Resumes
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway used by many ships carrying oil and gas.
Donald Trump said the waterway is now open for ships.
The US military said it removed mines from important shipping routes.
However, fewer ships are using the strait than before the war.
US officials say 20 to 30 tankers cross each night, while other tracking data showed only seven commodity ships on Thursday.
Some ships may be missing from tracking data because they turn off their transponders.
The United States says Iranian attacks on ships have become less successful.
Iran says it wants several conditions met before normal shipping fully returns.
Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is open and called Iran’s response to the conflict “very mild.”
The United States military said internationally recognized shipping routes were cleared of Iranian sea mines.
US officials estimate that 20 to 30 tankers are crossing nightly, about half the pre-war level.
Preliminary data recorded seven commodity vessels crossing Thursday, compared with 17 the previous day and a 10-day average of 15.
Iran says full reopening depends on ending the war, lifting US sanctions, removing the blockade and addressing wartime damage.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, the US military, Iran and commercial shipping operators are central to the dispute.
- What
- Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz open after the US military said key routes had been cleared of sea mines, but shipping remains below pre-war levels.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- When
- The statements and shipping figures were reported on Thursday; the conflict began in late February, according to the reports.
- Why
- The United States wants to restore shipping and prevent Iran from using the waterway as economic leverage, while Iran seeks an end to the war, sanctions and the US blockade.
US Position
Iranian Position
Whether the strait is open
US Position
The United States says internationally recognized shipping lanes are open after suspected Iranian mines were cleared.
Iranian Position
Iran says normal maritime traffic depends on conditions being met and maintains that it controls the waterway.
Extent of mine clearance
US Position
US Central Command called the clearance a major milestone and said the main routes were free of Iranian sea mines.
Iranian Position
People familiar with US assessments told Bloomberg that some of an estimated 80 to 150 mines may remain; US officials rejected those estimates as outdated.
Conditions for broader shipping
US Position
Washington is protecting shipping, maintaining pressure on Iranian ports and seeking to increase tanker traffic toward pre-war levels.
Iranian Position
Tehran has demanded an end to the war, removal of the US blockade, lifting of sanctions and compensation for wartime damage before full reopening.
Key facts
- Estimated nightly tanker traffic
- 20 to 30 tankers, according to US officials
- Pre-war comparison
- Current tanker traffic is about half the pre-war level
- Thursday shipping count
- Seven commodity vessels, compared with 17 the previous day and a 10-day average of 15
- Mine-clearance claim
- The US military said internationally recognized routes were free of Iranian sea mines
- Objects removed
- More than 200 mine-like objects were removed, but only 11 were confirmed as actual mines
- Reported vessel attacks
- An American official said Iran struck about 2% of ships passing through the strait over the previous month
- Iranian conditions
- Iran has called for an end to the war, lifting US sanctions, removal of the blockade and compensation for wartime damage
Quotes
Donald Trump
US president speaking to Axios about the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s response
“That sucker is open. The Iranian response is very mild. They don’t want us to go back at them. That’s the whole ball game. The rest doesn’t matter.”
republicworld.com
firstpost.com
“internationally recognised sea routes in the strait are free of Iranian sea mines”
firstpost.com
Sources
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