According to CBS, citing shipping industry sources, despite repeated US assertions that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial vessels, large international merchant ships have virtually ceased transit. US Central Command stated that Iran has launched over 30 attacks on commercial vessels since the start of the current conflict. Data from the Joint Maritime Information Center in Bahrain shows that commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to a near three-week low, with only three merchant ships tracked through the strait on Tuesday. Marisks CEO Maniatis stated that the US can currently only provide limited air cover for merchant ships and cannot guarantee safe passage, leading ship owners and crews to generally avoid the risk of crossing the strait. Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are threatening to block Saudi Arabia's energy export routes to Asia via the Red Sea, further extending shipping risks to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
