Several oil tankers initially attempted to traverse the Strait of Hormuz using a newly established route along the coast of Oman, bypassing Iranian waters. This alternative, promoted by a U.N. maritime agency and supported by the U.S., aimed to mitigate Iranian threats to shipping in the vital waterway. However, at least three ships, including those using the Omani route since Thursday morning, turned back after receiving warnings from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy, which declared the new route "unacceptable and completely dangerous" and insisted all vessels use Iran-approved channels.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a strong warning, stating that any vessel navigating outside Tehran's designated routes was acting illegally and would be dealt with accordingly. This directly contradicted efforts by Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a safe corridor for the evacuation of stranded seafarers and the resumption of commercial traffic. The IRGC's statements escalated tensions and created uncertainty for the estimated 600 vessels needing to exit the Gulf.
Despite the setbacks, overall traffic through the Strait had been gradually increasing, with marine data firm Kpler reporting 70 passages on Wednesday, and Lloyd’s List Intelligence noting 125 vessels crossed last week, up from 33 the week prior. This increased activity, even with delays, contributed to a softening of oil markets, with Brent crude falling to its lowest level since February 27, before the war began. Oil briefly dipped below its prewar price of just under $73 per barrel, indicating market confidence in an improving situation, despite the ongoing challenges.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to the Gulf, reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the new Oman route, emphasizing that no country owns the Strait of Hormuz and has the right to impose transit fees. This stance directly challenged Iran, which had been reportedly charging passage tolls. Oman also reiterated that future arrangements would not involve transit fees, highlighting the international efforts to secure navigation in accordance with international law.
