Oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz jumped roughly 50% in early June, Vortexa data show. The firm estimates non‑Iranian Persian Gulf shipments reached 1.8 million barrels a day during the first ten days of the month, up from about 1.2 million in May. The surge arrives as Washington and Tehran clash over control of the chokepoint significantly.

Tehran responded Thursday, announcing the Persian Gulf Strait Authority would close the waterway indefinitely. Despite the warning, Brent futures barely moved, a stark contrast to the 13% price spike after Iran’s initial shutdown in 2020. The U.S. disclosed a secret operation that has moved roughly 100 million barrels through the strait since May, implying daily flows of at least 2.4 million barrels.

Vessel tracking now relies on covert routes and AIS‑off transits, according to Vortexa senior analyst Xavier Tang. Ship owners are shuttling cargoes to offshore transfer points, easing buyer access but raising security concerns. U.S. forces have already disabled two ships and caused a third engine‑room fire, underscoring the risk that heightened military actions could choke off the flow that markets depend on.