DUBAI, 16 July. - (ANA) - Fewer vessels travelled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first day after the US reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports, with both countries escalating strikes across the Gulf, shipping data showed.

 

Nine vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, mostly on the Iranian route, down from 13 the previous day, Kpler data showed.

 

There were no Very Large Crude Carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers visibly passing through the strait on Wednesday.

 

US Central Command said on Wednesday it disabled an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail towards Iran's Kharg Island after it ignored multiple warnings, firing Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The Curacao-flagged VLCC Belma was no longer transiting to Iran, it added.

 

Since resuming a naval blockade against Iran on Tuesday, the US has redirected two ships and disabled another, the military said.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/16 July 2026 - - -