The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping traffic despite the April 8 ceasefire framework that was supposed to include reopening the critical waterway.
ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said earlier this week that approximately 230 loaded oil tankers are waiting inside the Gulf, unable to transit to global markets. Traffic is down more than 90% from pre-conflict levels.
Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping, reportedly because it lost track of mines it planted early in the conflict and cannot fully guarantee safe passage. The U.S. Navy has been conducting minesweeping operations since April 11.
Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong called on Iran to take ‘proactive measures’ to open the strait, saying it ‘should be safeguarded’ for international navigation.