Ship Traffic Through Key Oil Route Drops to Three as US Blocks Iranian Ports

By July 16, 2026, only three ships a day passed through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway carrying much of the world's oil—after Iran demanded vessels sail near its coast. The US blocked Iranian ports on July 14 with warships and 2,200 marines. Oil prices rose from $75.50 to $82 a barrel.