Strait of Hormuz Transits Collapse to Three as Oil Surges and US Blockades Iranian Ports

By July 16, 2026, daily ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to three—the fewest since May—as Iran demanded all vessels use a channel near its coast. The US reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14, deploying the USS Boxer group and 2,200 marines. Brent crude rose from $75.50 to $82 per barrel.