Oil tankers resume limited transits through Strait of Hormuz amid Iran warnings
A handful of oil tankers have used a UN-recommended route that skirts Omani waters, defying Iranian threats, as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowly increases and Brent crude prices fall.
Several oil tankers left the Persian Gulf on Thursday by following a United Nations-recommended corridor that runs close to Oman’s coastline, avoiding Iranian-controlled waters. The Liberian-flagged vessel Stoic Warrior and the British-flagged World Prize were among the ships recorded by marine-traffic data to have taken the Omani route, which has been used by about two dozen vessels since early Thursday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warned that any ship not following its approved path would be "dealt with accordingly," describing alternate transits as "highly dangerous and prohibited." The International Maritime Organization, which set the recommended route, said the plan aims to protect commercial shipping while allowing free passage.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, traveling in the Gulf region, reiterated that the Strait does not belong to any single nation. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a cargo vessel off Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile, damaging its bridge but causing no injuries.
Industry sources noted that most movements consist of existing inventories being shipped out rather than new loadings, reflecting continued caution among ship owners. Halvor Ellefsen of Fearnleys Shipbrokers said the modest flow of tankers is helping restore confidence, with Brent crude falling to around $72 a barrel, well below its April peak of $126.
According to marine-tracking firm Kpler, about 35 million barrels of oil have left the region since the 60-day U.S.–Iran agreement, and more than 70 ships have passed through the strait since Wednesday, far fewer than the pre-war average of over 130 daily.
The International Maritime Organization also announced a plan to evacuate roughly 11,000 seafarers from the area, and data showed that 57 ships carrying an estimated 1,100 crew members have already transited under the scheme. Oman issued navigation guidelines for vessels using its coastal route, but Iran’s continued warnings and its recent toll charges have added complexity to the situation.
Senior UAE diplomat Anwar Gargash warned that imposing new geopolitical realities through force could destabilize the Gulf, emphasizing the need for cooperative solutions.
