Iran Controls the Hormuz Strait Passage Decision-Making Authority, Allowing Only 2 Tankers Per Day on Average

SmartContractAuditor · 2026-03-18T08:21:26+00:00

The Strait of Hormuz faces transit restrictions, with Iran controlling vessel passage. Daily tanker transits have dropped from 100 vessels to 2, with 400 ships stranded. Some vessels have obtained passage permits after negotiations with the Iranian government. Despite Trump's calls for allies to intervene, responses have been lukewarm, and the U.S.-promised escort operations have not yet been implemented.

SmartContractAuditor

2026-03-18 08:21:26

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Odaily Planet Daily reports that although a small number of ships have recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, hundreds remain stranded—Iran controls the decision-making for safe passage, and a selective clearance mode has already formed.

Data from commodity analysis firm Kpler shows that before the conflict erupted, about 100 oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily; today, only about 2 per day, with 400 oil tankers still stranded.

JPMorgan analysts stated in a client report that “the vast majority of ships passing through the strait are Iranian vessels,” and Iran seems to allow specific ships to pass only after verification.

“The reality is, the strait is not officially closed, but passage rights are increasingly dependent on political understanding with Tehran,” the analysts wrote. Some ships briefly detoured around the channels between Larak Island and Qeshm Island near the Iranian coast before exiting the strait. JPMorgan analysts pointed out, “This is not a conventional route; this move may be to verify ship ownership and cargo, and it involves ships unrelated to the US and its allies.”

Reports indicate that some ships heading to India and carrying liquefied petroleum gas have successfully passed after negotiations and obtaining safe passage permits from their governments with Iran. During peacetime, about one-fifth of global crude oil and refined products are transported through the Strait of Hormuz, and for decades, alternative land export channels have been extremely limited.

Although Trump urged US allies to intervene to reopen the route, the response has been lukewarm. As the war enters its 18th day, the US promised naval escort has yet to be fulfilled.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, since the outbreak of war until this Tuesday, there have been 21 reports of ships being attacked or affected around the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, with 16 of these being attacks.

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