WANA (Jun 30) – Shipping data indicates that one week after Oman introduced a new maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, traffic has shifted sharply following warnings issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with most vessels now using the route designated by Iran.

 

According to maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic, only three vessels transited the Omani corridor along the Musandam Peninsula on Monday. Of the 11 ships recorded passing through the strait that day, eight used the Iranian-designated route south of Qeshm Island.

 

The vessels using the Iranian route included two oil tankers, two liquefied gas carriers, and cargo and container ships. One of the few ships that continued to use the Omani corridor despite Iran’s warnings was the Saudi oil tanker Al-Mahbouba, sailing from China’s Yangpu Port to Jubail.

 

According to reports, it is indicated that at least 120 vessels had used the Omani corridor between June 24, when it was announced, and the recent shift in traffic patterns.

 

Iran had previously rejected the Omani route, saying it was established without coordination with Tehran and describing it as “unacceptable and highly dangerous.” On June 25, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization warned that vessels sailing outside approved Iranian routes would not be guaranteed safe passage or receive insurance coverage.

 

The shift in shipping traffic reportedly accelerated after the targeting of the tanker Keiko, which was carrying more than 2 million barrels of Qatari oil. Maritime data showed that from noon that day until the following morning, no ships transited the Omani corridor, with vessels instead choosing the Iranian-designated route.

 

The developments come as the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee is being held in Muscat, attended by Iran’s deputy foreign minister and Oman’s minister of state for foreign affairs. Tehran has said the talks aim to establish a framework for managing maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz that reflects Iran’s legal and sovereign positions.

 

The reported changes also coincide with the 12th day following the Washington-Tehran memorandum of understanding.

 

Separately, Axios, citing U.S. officials, claimed that a decision has been made to halt all military operations against Iran.

 

NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman also reported on X that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Qatar’s prime minister and other officials in Doha on Tuesday to discuss negotiations with Iran, followed by separate technical meetings on Wednesday between U.S. and Iranian teams with Qatari and Pakistani mediators.

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 21, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)