U.S.-Iran tensions slow tanker traffic through Strait of Hormuz, trade group says | 23 June 2025 | A growing number of cargo ships are said to be steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital artery for global oil and gas shipments, as tensions spike in the Middle East following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The world's largest shipping trade group, Bimco, says several operators have begun halting transits through one of the world's most critical chokepoints, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. While ship traffic had remained relatively stable in recent weeks, the mood shifted rapidly after Saturday's U.S. strikes on key Iranian enrichment facilities. "Before the U.S. attack, the impact on shipping patterns was limited," Jakob Larsen, Bimco's head of maritime security, told CNBC. "Now, after the U.S. attack, we have indications that the number of ships passing is reducing."