Vessel traffic through Hormuz dwindles this week as markets watch Iran-Oman talks

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased, with 33 vessels passing through from Monday to Thursday this week, compared to 50 in the same period last week, according to data from Al-Monitor. On Thursday, four vessels transited the strait, including a very large crude carrier, Nissos Kea, carrying about 2 million barrels of Basrah crude loaded in Iraq.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has accused US President Donald Trump of "theater diplomacy", contradicting Trump's claim that a deal had been settled with Tehran, as reported by CNBC. Iranian officials have rejected the claim, saying no talks are underway.

Saudi Arabia is bracing for potential attacks from Iraqi militia factions working with Iran-backed Houthis, according to a Saudi official cited by CNBC. Intelligence reports suggest that the groups plan to strike the kingdom "in the very near future" under the guidance of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, CNBC, CNBC World — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — read the original for the full account.