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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) discussed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz today with representatives of international shipping companies during a meeting held via video conference, according to a statement by the Command.
The statement said that participants focused on strengthening the momentum aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation while increasing commercial vessel traffic through the strait.
Commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, expressed his gratitude to shipping industry leaders and other US government agencies for their continued support, noting the sacrifices made by civilian ship crews due to what he described as "unprovoked Iranian attacks."
Navigation traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level in more than two months, amid escalating attacks on oil tankers since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
According to Kpler data, seven ships crossed the strait on Tuesday and 10 ships on Wednesday, compared to more than 20 ships per day at the beginning of the week.
The quantities of crude oil passing through the strait also decreased to 10.1 million barrels per day, or about 74% of pre-war levels.
These developments come as attacks on tankers last week recorded their highest levels since the outbreak of the war, prompting some Gulf countries to increase exports through ports outside the strait to compensate for the decline in shipping traffic.
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