An aerial view of the Strait of Hormuz on December 10, 2023. Clarence Strait separates mainland Iran and Qeshm Island. Reuters Yonhap News

As Iran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz and the United States maintains a maritime blockade against Iran, vessel traffic through the strait appears to be partially resuming.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 14th (local time), citing two U.S. officials, that more than 20 merchant vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours. It assessed, “While it remains far below prewar levels, it seems clear that the flow of ships through this critical maritime chokepoint is improving.”

The United States, in response to the de facto blockade by Iran of the Strait of Hormuz, launched a ‘reverse blockade’ at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the 13th targeting vessels whose port of departure or destination is in Iran. Vessels not traveling to or from Iran are permitted to transit the strait.

Over the past 24 hours, the vessels that crossed the strait reportedly included cargo ships, container ships, and tankers moving into and out of the Persian Gulf. WSJ reported that some vessels turned off their transponders to avoid Iranian attacks.

This development came after the U.S. Navy deployed warships as part of freedom-of-navigation operations and began mine-clearing. It is being interpreted as a partial recovery in shipping, which had been constrained by mine threats from Iran following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran.