U.S. media: Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, as Iran attempts to formally control the waterway. Despite the ceasefire agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran earlier this week causing a sharp drop in oil prices, vessel passage remained obstructed on April 9, with only seven ships linked to Iran sailing out of the Persian Gulf between April 8 and the morning of April 9—far below the normal daily two-way traffic of around 135 vessels.
The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization has issued two safe navigation routes, claiming they are designed to avoid potential anti-ship mines. The CEO of the UAE’s largest oil producer explicitly stated that the strait "is not open," with passage still restricted, conditional, and controlled.
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that any vessel may pass but must communicate with Iran's military forces, and confirmed that mines have been laid in the waterway. The ceasefire is set to last only two weeks, and even if the strait reopens, it will take several weeks to months for oil to reach buyers.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862006436235337/
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