Strait of Hormuz Transit Vessels Drop to Zero for First Time! Iran: 440 Kilograms of 60% Enriched Uranium Buried, No Plans to Retrieve for Now

The UK Daily Telegraph reported on the 16th that no ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route, on the 14th. This is the first time since the US and Israel launched military actions against Iran.

The report cited data from maritime analytics firm Windward, stating: “On the 14th, the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to zero for the first time since the conflict began. Before the conflict, an average of 77 ships transited daily.”

Strait of Hormuz, stock photo. Image source: Visual China

Trump Reportedly Seeks to Form “Hormuz Alliance” This Week

According to Axios on the 16th, U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to form a so-called “Hormuz Alliance” to control the Strait of Hormuz, and “hopes” to announce the formation of this alliance later this week.

The report quoted multiple sources saying that U.S. officials engaged in intensive phone diplomacy over the weekend with European, Asian, and Gulf countries to secure political commitments for forming the so-called “Hormuz Alliance.” No country has publicly committed yet, but Trump expects some to support it this week.

Image source: Visual China

A source familiar with U.S. diplomatic negotiations said that the current priority for the U.S. is to secure political commitments, with other issues to be addressed later.

The report stated that if oil tanker navigation in the Gulf remains blocked, Trump might consider seizing Iran’s critical oil facilities on Khark Island, an action that would require U.S. ground forces. A senior White House official said Trump has not made any decision regarding Khark Island, but if the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persists, the situation could change. “The President will not sit idly by while Iran controls the pace of the conflict.”

Sources indicated that as long as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues and oil exports from the Gulf are restricted, Trump will be powerless to end the conflict even if he wants to.

Regarding the navigation of the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on the 15th said some countries have contacted Iran, hoping their ships can pass safely through the strait. He stated Iran is willing to negotiate with these countries, and the final decision will be made by the Iranian military.

Germany Says No Need to Participate in Hormuz Strait Escort

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed skepticism on March 15 about expanding EU escort operations to the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Germany does not see the need to participate. Baerbock said security can only be guaranteed when the military conflict is “fundamentally resolved.”

According to Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Transport Minister Catherine King also stated today (March 16) that Australia will not send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, Shadow Defense Minister James Paterson said that Australia needs to carefully consider requests to escort ships through the strait, as Australia does not have vessels capable of protecting itself from drone or missile attacks.

U.S. Oil Companies Urge Resumption of Strait Shipping to Stabilize Oil Prices

Recently, executives from several multinational U.S. oil companies told U.S. government officials that continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to further increases in international oil prices, causing volatility in the global energy market and putting pressure on the world economy. U.S. officials responded, “There is currently nothing that can be done.”

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 15th that the U.S. government held a series of meetings, including with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to discuss the economic impact of the current situation. Oil executives believe that the only way to address market turbulence is to restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods warned that market volatility could lead to rising oil prices and supply shortages of refined products.

Additionally, executives from Chevron and ConocoPhillips expressed concerns about current supply disruptions. An unnamed senior government official said that the U.S. government knows oil prices will continue to rise but “there is nothing that can be done at the moment.” Chevron CEO Mike Wirth previously stated that the current market is “full of volatility and uncertainty, difficult to predict.” Crude oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz accounts for about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Qatar, one of the top three exporters of liquefied natural gas, ships nearly all of its LNG through the Strait, accounting for about 20% of global supply.

U.S. Embassy in Iraq Attacked

On the morning of the 16th, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone was attacked.

During the attack, the U.S. embassy activated its air defense alarms and C-RAM systems, which shot down an incoming explosive device. It is currently unclear whether the device was a drone or a rocket.

The U.S. has not responded publicly yet.

Iran Says 440 kg of Enriched Uranium with 60% Purity Is Buried and Not Yet Extracted

On March 15, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation,” said that Iran has made significant concessions in its indirect nuclear negotiations with the U.S. before the war launched by the U.S. and Israel, including offering to dilute uranium enriched to 60% purity, demonstrating Iran’s lack of interest in pursuing nuclear weapons.

He stated that 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% is currently buried beneath the ruins of Iran’s damaged nuclear facilities, and Iran does not plan to extract it for now. If extraction becomes necessary in the future, it will be done under IAEA supervision.

Source: Daily Economic News

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