Hormuz traffic slows after Iran threatens retaliation for US attacks

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed at the beginning of the week following Iran's threat to retaliate for potential U.S. attacks, according to data from Kpler. On Monday, only seven commodity vessels were observed navigating the Strait of Hormuz, compared to eight on the previous day. Iran had previously warned that energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including U.S. oil and gas interests, could be at risk.

Goldman Sachs has also increased its crude oil price forecasts for December 2026 and 2027, anticipating that shipping disruptions in the Middle East will continue into the following year. However, traffic did surge through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a significant pathway for commodity vessels. On Monday, 29 commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb, up from 17 the day prior.

It is worth noting that some vessels might be traveling through both straits with their transponders turned off, a detail not factored into the counts.