Ships on the Oman shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz have sharply decreased, and Iran continues to strengthen control over the waterway.

BlockBeats news, July 5, according to institutional reports, the number of vessels navigating through the Oman coastal route of the Strait of Hormuz significantly decreased on Sunday. The day before, multiple ships sailing along this route suddenly made sharp turns, highlighting Iran's continued tightening of control over this strategic waterway. A product tanker that turned back on Saturday appeared to attempt another passage and has now sailed past the northernmost tip of Oman's Musandam Peninsula.

Earlier, another product tanker also navigated the same route and publicly announced its sailing intention, and is currently broadcasting its position in the Gulf of Oman. Some other vessels have chosen to transit the strait "dark." A Suezmax crude oil tanker, after last broadcasting its position in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday. Between Friday and Saturday, at least eight vessels suddenly turned back while crossing the Strait of Hormuz via the Oman route. Four of them subsequently altered course northward, leaving the strait through the Iran-side channel.

There is currently no official explanation for these sudden turnarounds. However, Iran has previously stated repeatedly that vessels can only pass through the Strait of Hormuz via channels designated and authorized by Iran. According to Kpler data, a total of 19 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, but only one ship publicly declared it would enter the strait via the Oman coastal route, while the number of vessels navigating this route on Friday was 13. The above statistics only cover observable navigation activities.