US Navy destroyers and oil tankers transit Strait of Hormuz to begin mine-clearing mission

Two US Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, paving the way for an upcoming mine-clearing mission, according to US Central Command, while three oil supertankers—including two Chinese vessels loaded with crude and a Greek ship—passed through hours later, as reported by Bloomberg. These movements mark a modest uptick in traffic through the strategic waterway, which carries about 20% of the world's oil, but come amid dramatically reduced overall shipping since hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran halted normal flows six weeks ago.^[1][2][4]

The transits occurred days after President Trump announced a fragile two-week ceasefire late Tuesday, which hinged on Iran reopening the strait—a critical chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Despite the agreement, marine tracking data shows traffic remains far below pre-war levels of over 130 vessels daily, with only about a dozen ships passing in the ceasefire's first two days and single-digit numbers on some recent days.^[2][6][8] Major shipping firms, particularly Western operators, continue to stay away due to unresolved issues like Iranian coordination requirements, potential tolls, and sanctions risks, leaving the waterway dominated by smaller or Iran-linked vessels.^[1][3][5]

US naval activity underscores efforts to secure the strait, where naval mines deployed during recent conflicts pose ongoing hazards that neither the US nor Iran can fully address in the region. The destroyers' passage sets the stage for mine removal, amid reports that Iran retains tight control via its Revolutionary Guard Corps, deciding which ships proceed—sometimes demanding cryptocurrency fees, according to Iranian sources and shipping executives.^[5][6][7] Vice President JD Vance noted early signs of reopening, linking it to slight drops in global oil and gas prices, though experts like ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber warn that prolonged restrictions could exacerbate a supply crunch, with over 230 oil-laden vessels waiting to depart.^[1][7]

Iran-linked tankers, including a massive crude supertanker capable of carrying 2 million barrels, a bunkering tanker, and a smaller oil ship, have driven much of the limited recent traffic, per data from Kpler and Lloyd’s List Intelligence. None of Saturday's supertankers carried Iranian oil or had direct ties to the country, signaling some normalization for non-Iranian commerce. However, broader flows stay throttled, with cargo rerouted via Omani and UAE ports, adding weeks to voyages and hiking costs by about 25%.^[3][4][5]

The ceasefire's success now rests on clarifying transit rules and tolls during the two-week window, as Trump demands full reopening without fees. Without quicker progress, global energy markets face heightened volatility, affecting consumers worldwide from fuel prices to supply chains. Shipping sources describe the strait as in a "supervised pause" rather than fully operational, highlighting the ceasefire's precarious state.^[1][7][9]