The United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) says independent tracking shows far fewer vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz than the US military has reported.
– It said the data shows “single-digit numbers transiting in both directions”, while figures from the US Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping indicate traffic has averaged more than 30 transits a day over the past 72 hours.
– Either way, the UKMTO said traffic remains below pre-war levels, and its threat level for the region remains “severe”, with persistent attacks, attempted attacks and harassment by Iran.
– It said that at least three attacks were reported in the last 72 hours, with one attack on September 18 that caused a fire on board a tanker.
– “These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels,” it said.
– The UKMTO added that traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and southern Red Sea has also remained at “reduced levels” since July, but said no new attacks have been reported in the last few days.
https://aje.news/xwqax3?update=4969571