Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz nudged upward on Tuesday, with 34 ships transiting the chokepoint, Marine Traffic data shows. The figure marks a modest rebound after more than 100 days of near‑standstill following the US‑Iran clash, yet remains far short of the pre‑conflict average of roughly 100 daily crossings. Shipping firms, insurers and traders watch the move closely.

The strait, through which about one‑fifth of global oil passes, was effectively sealed by Iran during the hostilities, spiking freight rates and lifting crude prices. The June 17 US‑Iran Memorandum of Understanding pledged an “immediate start” to commercial navigation, using vessel movements as a barometer of regional stability. Analysts now gauge whether the modest rise signals a genuine de‑escalation and market sentiment to investors and policymakers.

Oil benchmarks slipped on Thursday, with WTI dipping to $68/barrel, Brent falling to $71.12 and Murban to $65.64, reflecting eased supply concerns as traffic steadies. Yet the corridor remains far from normal, and investors track shipping data as one of the clearest gauges of the Middle East’s economic recovery. The current pace confirms lingering security doubts.