Kpler data show sharp decline in traffic through Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, United States — Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed that only two of 166 vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz in August followed a US-backed route. The Wall Street Journal reported that half of the vessels concealed their tracking data, while an equal number chose the route controlled by Iran. The data showed average daily traffic through the strait fell to six vessels from approximately 11 over the previous 10-day period, coinciding with weaker expectations for a US-Iran agreement. US Central Command said it had redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to breach the maritime blockade against Iran, disabled three ships and detained two since the blockade resumed on July 14. President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States maintained full control of the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran could not challenge it. About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, which remains a central dispute in talks aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.