• The Strait of Hormuz crisis has caused tanker traffic to drop by approximately 70%, with only seven cargo vessels transiting on one Tuesday in mid-March.
  • Approximately 20,000 crew members are stranded on ships unable to safely transit through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
  • The International Energy Agency announced its largest ever release of reserve oil to stabilize global markets amid the crisis.

Escalating Attacks and Maritime Collapse

President Donald Trump demanded that Iran immediately remove any mines it had planted in the Strait of Hormuz, as the 2026 crisis has severely disrupted global maritime commerce with Iran conducting a sustained campaign of attacks on commercial vessels since late February. As of March 12, 2026, Iran has made 21 confirmed attacks on merchant ships, according to military assessments. The US military reported destroying 16 Iranian minelayers in response, with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stating that US forces have "struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran, including more than 60 ships, using a variety of precision weapons systems."

Tanker traffic initially dropped by approximately 70%, with over 150 ships anchoring outside the strait to avoid risks before traffic dropped to nearly zero. This disruption affects approximately 20% of the world's daily oil supply and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), prompting major shipping firms to suspend operations in the area. By mid-March, tanker and cargo vessel transits remained in single digits, with only seven cargo vessels transiting on one Tuesday, according to maritime tracking data.

Stranded Crews and Expanding Conflict

The attacks have expanded in scope and geography, leaving approximately 20,000 crew members stranded on ships unable to safely transit through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. These sailors face disrupted work lives and safety risks as merchant vessels remain anchored or unable to proceed with their voyages. Initial strikes on March 1 targeted oil tankers near Oman, killing crew members and causing vessels to be abandoned. By March 4, the IRGC claimed complete control of the strait, though Iran's reach extended beyond the strait itself—a sea drone struck the oil tanker Sonangol Namibe anchored over 800 kilometers away near Kuwait's Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, causing an oil spill.

Subsequent waves of attacks continued through March 11, with at least three vessels damaged in a single day. Trump has called on allied nations to help secure and protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating this has become a multilateral security concern. The closure threatens global energy supplies and has spiked oil and gas prices due to the unprecedented disruption of this critical maritime passage. Efforts to reach Iranian officials for comment on the mine allegations were unsuccessful, though sources familiar with the matter suggest Tehran continues to deny planting mines while maintaining its right to control the strategic waterway.