The Strait of Hormuz is splitting into U.S. and Iranian lanes as ship traffic picks up even while fighting intensifies

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains just a fraction of pre-war levels, but more ships are transiting lately, especially via a lane carved out by the U.S. military, even as fighting heats up. That alternate channel has become even more important after Iran vowed Monday to completely close the strait in response to ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Brent crude prices jumped 7% to $97.32 a barrel. Over the last three weeks, Central Command has guided about 70 ships in and out of the Persian Gulf, sources told the New York Times, indicating that the route was not close to the Iranian coastline. That rules out the lane the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps established soon after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran. Since then, the IRGC has charged tolls on ships granted permission and attacked any that tried to cross unauthorized. To bypass the IRGC-controlled lane, the U.S. Navy began mine-clearing operations in April and sent two destroyers through the strait to re-establish freedom of navigation via another route near Oman’s coast. That was followed by Project Freedom last month, which aimed to get more ships out with U.S. help, but it ended after only a few days. To sail through the strait without being detected by Iran, most of the ships crossing via the U.S. channel are turning off their Automatic Identification Systems, according to the Times. The AIS is a navigational beacon that broadcasts its position to help avoid collisions. By going dark, ships must rely on guidance from Central Command. Central Command has insisted that it’s not escorting ships. Instead, it’s offering advice to commercial vessels in the region. The U.S. military keeps an eye on traffic with radar, drones and other tools to help ships transit safely, while also advising them on when to turn off AIS and how to respond to Iranian threats, sources told the Wall Street Journal. A Greek supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil crossed the strait in this manner las