Navigation via the Omani route in the Hormuz Strait has reached a minimum as several vessels sharply changed their courses over the weekend. According to Bloomberg, on July 3 and 4, at least eight vessels, including oil tankers, bulk carriers, and car carriers, unexpectedly turned around. Four of them then changed their course and left the strait, continuing their journey along the Iranian coast.
According to Kpler, on July 4, of the 19 vessels that crossed the strait in both directions, only one clearly indicated the Omani route, while the day before, their number was 13.
No official explanations have yet been provided, but Tehran has repeatedly insisted that vessels must pass through the strait only via routes approved by Iran.
