International Fertilizer and Agriculture News - September 3

September 4, 2026

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Vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. On Tuesday, only four vessels transited the strait, a significant drop from 13 vessels the previous day. Crude oil traffic has been disrupted, with Iran's exports at a near standstill due to US-enforced blockades and sanctions. Meanwhile, US officials claim control of the strategic waterway, asserting that large volumes of oil are moving safely, though vessel-tracking data suggests otherwise. The conflict has exacerbated challenges for oil logistics and heightened geopolitical risks in the Gulf region, making the Strait of Hormuz a critical focal point for global energy markets.

Strait of Hormuz Vessel Traffic Declines Further

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a multi-month low on Tuesday as the United States and Iran launched strikes against each other along the narrow waterway. According to maritime security firm Windward, only four vessels transited the Strait on Tuesday, down from 13 on Monday. Of these vessels, one entered through the Iranian-controlled northern lane, while three departed the Strait, including two that used the US-assisted southern lane. Current traffic is less than 3% of the level seen before the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

"The Trump Strait"

Despite increased military activity in the region, US officials continued to claim control of the Strait of Hormuz and to assert that large volumes of crude oil are moving safely through the strategic waterway. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday that more than 17mn bbl of crude oil exited through the Strait on Monday, exceeding pre-conflict levels.

However, Argus checks of vessel-tracking and satellite data from Windward, Kpler and Vortexa do not support this figure. TankerTrackers.com said on Wednesday that average crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz have been around 4.9mn b/d since July 14. During the past full 28 days, crude exports from the Middle East Gulf exceeded 10mn b/d on only six days. This measure includes transits through the Strait of Hormuz as well as crude exports loaded at ports on the Gulf of Oman, such as Fujairah in the UAE and Sohar in Oman.

US President Donald Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday: "Now that the Strait is under US control, should we rename the Strait of Hormuz the 'Trump Strait'?" Trump had said earlier in the day that the United States had almost complete control of the waterway. US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, said in a UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) notice that US forces assisted 39 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz during the final two days of August. Publicly available satellite and vessel-positioning data have not substantiated this figure.

Iranian Crude Oil Exports Decline

The United States continues to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports. US Central Command said that, as of Tuesday, it had forced 84 commercial vessels to divert, disabled three vessels and boarded two vessels in implementing the blockade of Iranian ports that was reinstated on July 14. Iranian crude exports have effectively come to a standstill since the United States resumed and enforced the blockade. Kpler data show that Iran's crude exports fell to zero last month, while TankerTrackers.com said on Tuesday that Iranian crude exports had declined by 100% from pre-war benchmark levels.

TankerTrackers.com said on Wednesday that Iran had voluntarily reduced crude production this summer to match domestic refinery throughput and domestic consumption needs. This substantially reduced the logistical pressure associated with its crude exports and helps explain the near standstill in tanker loading at Kharg Island, Iran's key crude export hub. Iran continues to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and has taken further measures to limit traffic through the waterway. The Iranian Persian Gulf Strait Management Authority, established after the outbreak of war, has added 12 vessels to its list of violating ships, bringing the total number of listed vessels to 57.

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