US military monitoring indicates that nearly 1,000 commercial vessel transits have taken place through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months since a ceasefire with Iran, according to an official familiar with US Central Command operations, suggesting higher maritime activity than some private-sector estimates. The figure, compiled through continuous air, sea, and space surveillance systems used by US forces, includes large cargo and container vessels passing through the strategic waterway.

However, it does not account for smaller craft such as traditional dhows, meaning overall maritime movement in the region may be even higher than recorded. According to the official, the data was gathered after a ceasefire took effect on April 8 between the United States and Iran, a development that eased tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a key passageway for global oil and gas shipments.

The US assessment contrasts with private-sector shipping analytics, which rely primarily on vessel transponders. Those estimates suggest slightly lower traffic, recording just over 650 transits in the same period — including approximately 402 outbound and around 260 inbound movements. Analysts note that differences in methodology between military surveillance and commercial tracking systems can account for variations in reported figures.

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Before the escalation in hostilities earlier in the year, the Strait of Hormuz typically saw more than 100 ships passing through daily. Officials noted that maritime traffic had previously been disrupted during the peak of tensions between Washington and Tehran, when fears of broader conflict in the region impacted shipping patterns and energy markets.

While current figures indicate a recovery in vessel movement, traffic levels remain below pre-crisis norms. Analysts say the partial rebound reflects cautious confidence among shipping companies, though concerns over regional security continue to influence routing decisions and insurance costs. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically sensitive maritime chokepoints globally, with any disruption carrying significant implications for international energy supplies and global trade stability.

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