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Jun 19, 20261
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Hormuz Traffic Thins as Shipowners Await Clarity on US-Iran Deal
Following a US-Iran accord to end Middle East conflict and lift a dual blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, shipping traffic through the waterway thinned on Friday as operators cautiously awaited implementation details. Oil prices fell sharply on the news, though two months of negotiations remain before the blockade's full removal.
Quick Facts
Who
President Trump
What
US and Iran signed accord to end Middle East war
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Strait of Hormuz
- US and Iran signed accord to end Middle East war
- Dual blockade on Strait of Hormuz to be lifted
- Oil prices tumbled
- Hormuz traffic thinned
- Vessels anchored in Bandar Abbas
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz showed signs of thinning on Friday as shipping operators adopted a cautious approach following a tentative accord between the United States and Iran to end Middle East hostilities. The agreement, signed separately by President Trump and his Iranian counterpart, included commitments to lift a dual blockade that had restricted passage through the critical waterway. However, two months of negotiations still lie ahead before implementation details are finalized.
The cautious response from shipowners reflects uncertainty surrounding the timeline and mechanics of the blockade's removal. Despite initial oil flows resuming through the strait following the accord announcement, operators have opted to hold back commitments to major transits, preferring to wait for clearer guidance on the agreement's terms. Oil prices declined sharply following the accord announcement, reflecting market expectations of increased supply once the waterway fully reopens.
Vessels were observed anchored in Bandar Abbas and other positions along the strait as of June 18, 2026. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a substantial portion of global oil supplies transit daily. The outcome of the two-month negotiation period will likely determine whether shipping volumes rapidly recover to pre-blockade levels or remain subdued pending full implementation of the accord.
Why This Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supply, with roughly one-third of maritime-traded oil passing through it daily. This agreement and the cautious market response signal that even tentative geopolitical breakthroughs may take time to translate into real economic benefits. Shipping operators' hesitation to commit to new transits until full implementation details emerge underscores the importance of monitoring negotiation progress over the next two months—delays or complications could significantly impact global energy prices and supply chain stability.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireTrump and Iranian counterpart separately signed accord to end Middle East war and lift dual blockade on Strait of Hormuz
Jun 18, 2026
WireVessels observed anchored in Bandar Abbas along Strait of Hormuz
Jun 19, 2026
WireHormuz traffic thinned as shipowners exercised caution; oil prices declined