Hormuz Bottleneck Deepens as Oil Flow Remains Halted Despite Ceasefire Terms

Shipping backlog grows and thousands of mariners remain stranded as Iran restricts passage through key energy corridor

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain largely suspended despite a ceasefire agreement intended to reopen the critical waterway, raising concerns about compliance with one of the central conditions of the truce.

A growing backlog of approximately 3,200 vessels, including around 800 oil tankers and cargo ships, has accumulated near the western approach to the strait as operators await clearer conditions before attempting passage. Industry analysts say traffic remains effectively frozen.

Matt Smith, an analyst at Kpler, said the disruption continues to prevent the movement of energy supplies. “We’re not seeing any, any, any oil products passing through there,” Smith said. “So, for all intents and purposes, the strait remains closed. And this is the leverage that Iran has.”

Only limited movement has been recorded in recent days. Smith noted that three vessels transited the strait on Thursday, including two Iranian-flagged ships and a dry bulk carrier. Separate maritime tracking data indicated that a small number of additional vessels—primarily bulk carriers—have moved through the area, often outside standard commercial routes.

President Donald J. Trump criticized the continued disruption, stating, “Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!”

The International Maritime Organization estimates that nearly 20,000 mariners remain effectively stranded in the Persian Gulf as a result of the ongoing standoff.

Some vessels that have transited the strait are reportedly navigating near Iran’s Larak Island rather than established shipping lanes, with certain ships disabling tracking systems during passage. Meanwhile, shipping operators are increasingly diverting cargo through alternative ports in Oman and along the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, extending transit times by up to two weeks and increasing costs by roughly 25 percent.

An Israeli intelligence official told Fox News that Iran is exerting direct control over passage through the strait. “The Strait is effectively under full IRGC control. They decide who gets to go through, but more importantly, who doesn’t,” the official said.

The ceasefire announced by Trump was contingent on Iran reopening the strait for unrestricted maritime traffic. Trump stated the agreement required “Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” but shipping activity has yet to return to normal levels.

Analysts note that the absence of traffic reflects both security concerns and financial constraints. Approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply typically passes through the strait, but shipping companies remain reluctant to resume operations amid uncertainty.

“We don’t know whether the Strait of Hormuz is mined. Even if it isn’t, the risk of being hit by a missile or a drone is a big enough deterrent,” Smith said. “No one’s willing to take the chance.”

Insurance requirements are also limiting activity, with war-risk coverage still available but at significantly higher premiums and with stricter conditions, further discouraging transit.

Sultan Al Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, wrote on LinkedIn, “This moment requires clarity. So let’s be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is not open.” He added, “Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled,” and said passage is being determined by “permission, conditions and political leverage.”

Reports indicate Iran has also sought to impose fees on vessels transiting the strait, including a proposed charge of $1 per barrel of oil transported, with payments reportedly requested in cryptocurrency.

Iranian state media has linked the continued restrictions to ongoing Israeli military activity involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Tehran claims falls outside the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

Vice President JD Vance and Trump have indicated that Israeli operations in Lebanon may be scaled back to support broader de-escalation efforts.

Diplomatic discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials aimed at securing a longer-term agreement are scheduled to take place Saturday in Pakistan, as uncertainty continues over the status of one of the world’s most critical maritime energy routes.