Iran controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only 2 oil tankers per day on average.

Odaily reported that although a small number of ships have recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, hundreds of vessels remain stranded—Iran holds the decision-making power over the safe passage of ships, and a selective release pattern has already formed.

According to data from the commodity analysis agency Kpler, before the conflict erupted, about 100 oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily; now, only 2 tankers per day, with 400 tankers still detained.

JPMorgan analysts stated in a client report that "the vast majority of vessels passing through the strait are Iranian," and Iran appears to allow specific ships to pass only after verification.

"The reality is that the strait has not been officially closed, but passage increasingly depends on political understanding with Tehran," the analysts wrote. Some ships have briefly detoured through the channel between Iran's coast near Larak Island and Qeshm Island, closely hugging the Iranian coast, to exit the strait. JPMorgan analysts pointed out: "This is not a conventional route; this move may be to confirm ship ownership and cargo, allowing passage for vessels unrelated to the US and its allies."

It is reported that some ships heading to India and carrying liquefied petroleum gas have successfully passed through the strait after their governments negotiated with Iran and obtained safe passage permits. In peacetime, about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and refined oil products are transported through the Strait of Hormuz, and for decades, alternative land export routes have been extremely limited.

Despite Trump urging US allies to intervene to reopen the channel, allies have responded lukewarmly. As the war has entered its 18th day, the promised US naval escort has yet to materialize.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations under the Royal Navy, from the outbreak of the war to this Tuesday, there have been 21 reports of ships attacked or affected around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, of which 16 were attack incidents. (Golden Ten Data)