Recent analysis by the European research company Kpler reveals a staggering decline of over 80% in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for energy transport, following military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. The report indicates that prior to the attacks on February 28, approximately 100 vessels passed through the strait daily. However, shortly after the attacks began, this volume fell sharply, with a reported 25% decrease in just a few hours.

By the night of the attacks, news from Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, suggested that the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blocked, highlighting the heightened tensions in the region. Analysts observed that by the evening of February 28, shipping volume had plummeted by 70%, and by March 1, traffic had dwindled to one vessel every two hours, reflecting a severe disruption in a passageway that accounts for around 20% of the world’s crude oil.

The implications of this drastic reduction in maritime traffic are significant, particularly for countries like Japan, which depend on the Middle East for over 90% of their crude oil, much of which traverses the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing instability following these recent military actions raises concerns about energy security and potential further escalations in conflict in the region, emphasizing the strategic importance of the strait in global energy markets.