Japanese firm: Strait of Hormuz likely to operate below half capacity for months

A Japanese company has warned that shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will remain below half of its pre-war levels for several months due to Iranian mines obstructing navigation and narrowing safe passageways for ships. Estimates indicate that Iran has planted around 80 mines in the main channels of the strait. These mines pose significant risks to maritime vessels, as they are difficult to detect when anchored to the seabed and greatly increase the likelihood of severe damage from explosions. This comes amid an agreement between the United States and Iran to restore navigation through the strait to pre-crisis levels within 30 days, along with the establishment of a communication line to coordinate security operations in the passage. However, Iranian warnings and a series of security incidents, including attacks on ships, raise concerns about deterioration of the situation and the ongoing decline in maritime traffic through this vital strait, which handles about 50% of global oil exports.

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