Hundreds of commercial ships waiting near Strait of Hormuz

Around 1,500 tankers and cargo vessels are currently gathered near the Strait of Hormuz awaiting authorisation to transit the strategic waterway, according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

Iranian authorities said the country’s navy remains on heightened alert and continues to monitor maritime traffic across the Persian Gulf to ensure shipping security.

Before the conflict's outbreak, a fifth of the world's total petroleum and gas passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has led to a significant global surge in the price of hydrocarbons.

By Sabina Mammadli