Dialogos

Iran Selects Ships for Passage Through Strait of Hormuz, Monitoring Systems Show

Published March 17, 2026, 20:01
Iran Selects Ships for Passage Through Strait of Hormuz, Monitoring Systems Show

Iran is selecting ships from friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from ship tracking systems. Tehran has restricted access to the Strait, which handles a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, with reports of dangerous situations for ships following clashes with the US and Israel. At least five ships passed through the Strait via Iranian waters on March 15 and 16, according to Windward. This practice suggests that Iran is allowing passage to its allies and supporters, controlling the ownership and cargo of ships. JPMorgan reports that most of the oil passing through the Strait is headed to Asia, mainly China. Several countries have begun talks with Iran to secure passage for their ships, while the United States is pushing for military protection of shipping in the region. Ships flagged under India and Turkey were able to pass through the Strait with Iran’s permission.