“A new normal How traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is adapting to war By Lou Robinson, CNN Published August 14, 2026 On February 28, the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran, setting off a monthslong war in the region. Very soon after this, Iran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz”, — write on: www.cnn.com
A new normal
How traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is adapting to war
By Lou Robinson, CNN
Published August 14, 2026
On February 28, the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran, setting off a monthslong war in the region.
Very soon after this, Iran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route through which 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas traveled.
The strait remained effectively closed, with just a fraction of pre-war traffic passing through, until an agreement between the US and Iran was reached in mid-June, allowing it to reopen, and traffic increased. But just days later, Iranian strikes on vessels using a route Tehran hadn’t authorized led to the collapse of the ceasefire and traffic dropped yet again.
Iran claims sovereignty over the strait, but the US and Gulf Arab countries disagree. This has created a complicated system of competing routes through this critical waterway.
How are ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz now?
The Strait of Hormuz is no longer simply open or closed, and ships have several options to cross this critical waterway.
Pre-war route
Through the center of the strait
Designated a “danger zone” by Iran on April 9 after mines were laid through the strait’s center.
Oman-IMO traffic separation scheme
Oman’s northern coast
Oman says passage through the strait is guaranteed under international law.
Dark or
unknown route
Unknown
Many ships switch off their tracking transponders to avoid detection.
Iran-asserted traffic separation scheme
Iran’s southern coast
Iran demands all vessels use this route and has been charging ships a fee to pass.
IRAN
Strait of
Hormuz
Iranian
route
Pre-war
route
Iran’s
territorial
waters
Omani
route
Dark/
unknown
route
OMAN
Persian
Gulf
Oman’s
territorial
waters
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
UAE
territorial
waters
Gulf of
Oman
20 miles
Afg.
Iran
Iraq
20 km
Kuwait
Detail
Pak.
QATAR
UAE
Saudi
Arabia
Oman
Strait of
Hormuz
IRAN
Iranian
route
Pre-war
route
Iran’s
territorial
waters
Omani
route
Dark/unknown
route
OMAN
Oman’s
territorial
waters
Persian
Gulf
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
UAE
territorial
waters
Gulf of
Oman
Afg.
Iran
Iraq
Kuwait
Detail
Pak.
QATAR
UAE
50 miles
Saudi
Arabia
Oman
50 km
Strait of
Hormuz
IRAN
Iranian
route
Pre-war
route
Iran’s
territorial
waters
Omani
route
Dark/unknown
route
OMAN
Oman’s
territorial
waters
Persian
Gulf
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
UAE
territorial
waters
Gulf of
Oman
Afg.
Iran
Iraq
Kuwait
Detail
Pak.
QATAR
50 miles
UAE
Saudi
Arabia
Oman
50 km
Strait of
Hormuz
IRAN
Iranian
route
Pre-war
route
Iran’s
territorial
waters
Omani
route
Dark/unknown
route
OMAN
Oman’s
territorial
waters
Persian
Gulf
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
UAE
territorial
waters
Gulf of
Oman
Afg.
Iran
Iraq
Kuwait
Detail
Pak.
QATAR
UAE
Saudi
Arabia
50 miles
Oman
50 km
Source: The Institute for the Study of War with AEI’s Critical Threats Project; Flanders Marine Institute (2026): MarineRegions.org
Before the war, around 100 vessels passed through the strait every day. This has dropped dramatically since the conflict began.
Keep scrolling to see how traffic has adapted to many phases of the conflict.
Oman
Pre-war
Dark/unknown
Iran
Pre-war normal traffic:
around 100 vessels per day
As of Aug. 13, 2026, in the 167
days since the war began, 3,371 vessels
have crossed the strait. That’s around 20% of what traffic
would have been before the war.
Data as of Aug. 13, 2026.
Source: Kpler
Is this the new normal for the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran and Oman have long shared the waters in the Strait of Hormuz, and since 1968 vessels have traveled through a route established by the International Maritime Organization. In 1974, both countries signed an agreement at the United Nations defining the maritime boundaries in the strait.
As Iran exchanges missiles with the US and negotiates with Oman to rethink the long-established routes, shipping must adapt to this new volatile reality. What are the options for vessels trying to use the strait?
Here is a rundown of some of the risks and complications that vessels might encounter as they pass through.