Three Iranian tankers exit U.S. blockade for first time in months as shipowners eye Hormuz in 'wary disbelief'

Vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz totaled 53 in the week through July 20, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence data, down from 157 the previous week, with tanker and gas carrier movements falling to 30 from 90. Kpler tracking showed daily crossings declining from averages above 20 vessels before July 15 to single digits by July 16 and remaining low thereafter.

These figures followed the reported start of a U.S. blockade and related maritime restrictions announced by Iranian authorities.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday. Two additional vessels were reported attacked in the area within the past day, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard claiming responsibility for those incidents.

The United States military stated it conducted strikes targeting Iranian capabilities used against commercial shipping in the strait.

The US and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian targets beginning in February, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and carried out strikes on sites across the region, including Dubai. Following the collapse of a short-term ceasefire, US strikes on Iranian sites continued for at least nine days.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not altered its guidance for the UAE since removing the "all but essential travel" advisory on 18 June and states that the situation remains unpredictable.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its strikes on US military sites in Jordan, including the Al-Azraq base and Aqaba Airport, were supported by information provided by local Jordanian residents. The IRGC claimed these operations destroyed shelters, damaged aircraft such as C-17 and P-8 planes, and resulted in dozens of US personnel killed.

Separate reports indicate at least four US soldiers killed across incidents in Jordan and Iraq, with independent confirmation of specific IRGC claims pending.