As the United States and Iran are effectively engaged in a "blockade contest" in the Strait of Hormuz, ship traffic in these waters has virtually come to a halt.
On the 22nd, The New York Times (NYT), citing data from shipping analytics firm Lloyd's List Intelligence, reported that from Mar. 2 to Apr. 19 only 90 ships not linked to Iran passed through the strait. That amounts to an average of just three ships a day.
The NYT said, "Until the recent ship strikes, about eight ships a day passed through the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "This is a sharp drop from the prewar daily average of 130 ships."
The situation has grown more serious. On the 13th, the United States began a counter-blockade targeting Iranian ports, heightening tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, as of the 21st only one ship passed through the strait.
Moreover, that day the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked three cargo ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them, "MSC Francesca" and "Epaminondas," further escalating tensions in the strait. It was the first time Iran had seized ships since the war broke out in late February.
In response, the NYT assessed that although the U.S. military has struck about 13,000 targets inside Iran and established a maritime blockade, Iran still controls the strait, which suggests it could give Iran leverage in future cease-fire talks with the United States.
Rosemary Kelanic of the U.S. think tank Defense Priorities said of Iran's ship seizures, "It serves as a reminder that the threat of ship attacks is real and is enough to discourage passage through the strait."