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Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/18/business/iran-strait-of-hormuz-oil
Iran Has Lost Significant Control of Strait of Hormuz
(CNN) David Goldman - In the battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S., patrolling the strait with its navy, is gaining ground and Iran is losing much of its control of the waterway. More than 80% of liquids transiting the strait over the past two weeks have taken the Omani route - a UN-authorized shipping channel that Iran vehemently opposes - according to Kpler, which tracks ships. While Iran has attacked dozens of ships, most ships have recently chosen to ignore Iran's demands and cross the strait with the promise of protection from U.S. naval forces. "It increasingly looks like Iran has at least partially lost control of the strait," said Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude oil analysis at Kpler. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have chartered Very Large Crude oil Carriers (VLCCs) - the biggest oil tankers - to transit out of the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, then transferring the oil to customers' tankers outside the danger zone in the Gulf of Oman.