Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz showed signs of recovery Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities and reopening one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, as reported [1] by Trending Politics News.
According to MarineTraffic and other vessel-tracking data, at least 10 commercial ships were observed transiting the strait on the morning following the agreement, with additional vessels reportedly heading toward the region.
The increase marks a noticeable improvement from the sharply reduced traffic levels seen during months of conflict that disrupted shipping through the critical waterway.
JUST IN: Ship traffic officially resumes in the Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran sign deal to end war. pic.twitter.com/gTfu64Mnko [2]
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) June 18, 2026 [3]
The memorandum of understanding was signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The agreement includes provisions for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and establishes a framework for additional negotiations over the coming weeks.
U.S. officials said they expect shipping activity to increase gradually as commercial operators regain confidence in the route. Traffic reportedly began rising shortly after the agreement was finalized.
Iranian officials also indicated that maritime traffic would resume under controlled conditions, with vessels directed to travel along designated routes and during specified time periods to address security concerns.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. Before the conflict began in late February, the passage typically handled between 100 and 135 vessels per day.
The route serves as a major transit point for global energy markets, carrying approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
That traffic collapsed after hostilities escalated. Data from early March showed tanker movements declining by roughly 94% on some days.
Overall shipping activity fell by more than 70% during the early stages of the conflict and remained at extremely low levels for months.
During several recent weeks, vessel traffic frequently fell into the single digits per day and occasionally approached zero.
Ship-tracking services reported that only dozens of vessels successfully passed through the strait over multi-week periods, a fraction of normal activity.
By late April and throughout much of May, daily transit figures often remained near zero, highlighting the severe disruption to international shipping and energy markets.
While Thursday’s increase in vessel traffic represents a significant development, industry analysts and government officials cautioned that a full recovery will likely take time.
Shipping companies continue to evaluate security conditions, insurance costs, and logistical challenges created by months of disruptions.
Officials and industry observers estimate that daily vessel traffic could increase to between 25 and 50 ships in the near future if current conditions remain stable.
Additional growth is expected in the coming weeks as commercial operators gradually resume regular routes through the waterway.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is one element of the broader agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.
In addition to restoring maritime access, the memorandum includes provisions addressing ceasefire implementation across related conflict zones and outlines initial steps toward sanctions relief and reconstruction assistance.
The agreement also establishes a 60-day negotiating period during which both sides are expected to pursue discussions on a more comprehensive long-term arrangement.
For global energy markets and international shipping companies, the return of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is being closely watched as an early indicator of whether stability can return to one of the world’s most important trade corridors.