Strait of Hormuz traffic unlikely to normalize for weeks, shipping executive says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to return to normal for weeks despite a recent agreement between the United States and Iran, according to the head of Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Chief Executive Gotaro Tamura told the Financial Times that the deal would need to produce real changes in the security environment before vessel owners resume transit. Tamura said shipowners are likely to wait until they see concrete results from the agreement, noting that a paper arrangement alone is not enough to convince operators to send ships through. His comments highlight the cautious stance still held by major carriers even as political signals point to a reopening of the strategic waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday via Truth Social that ships had begun moving out of the Strait of Hormuz, most of them carrying oil, and claimed the "southern route" was safe, protected and clean. Sources close to Iran said the resumption process would begin after a memorandum of understanding with the United States is signed on Friday.