Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz remains at low levels as tensions between Iran and the United States continue, with recent data showing vessel transits at roughly one-tenth of pre-war averages.
According to maritime data analytics firm Kpler, only 13 merchant vessels passed through the strategic waterway on Wednesday with eight heading out of the Persian Gulf, and five entering.
On Wednesday, only one vessel, a bulk carrier entering the Persian Gulf, was reported to have used the southern route near the coast of Oman, which has been recommended by the U.S. military as a safer passage.
Most other vessels continued to navigate along the route closer to the Iranian coastline.
However, analysts say that the actual number of transits may be higher than the statistics suggest because some vessels may have turned off their transponders while navigating the strait.
Shipping in Strait of Hormuz remains at low levels: data
The United States launched another round of strikes against Iran on Thursday, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
"At 2 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth consecutive night to further degrade Iranian military capabilities," the statement said.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that locations in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas were hit Thursday night by U.S. attacks.
The strikes caused power outages in parts of the city and damaged a communications tower, according to Iranian media.
A residential area in Bandar Abbas was also hit, leaving at least seven people injured. Local hospitals are currently providing emergency medical care to the wounded.
The developments came after days of clashes between the United States and Iran which have continued despite the signing of a U.S.-Iranian Memorandum of Understanding in mid-June, under which the two sides were expected to halt hostilities and begin negotiations towards a final agreement within 60 days.
U.S. launches another round of strikes against Iran
