The United States says the sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared. President Trump and US Central Command declared the waterway clear of mines on August 25.

But commercial shipping has not returned. Maritime agencies say traffic through the strait is still about 90 per cent below pre-conflict levels.

The Joint Maritime Information Center still rates the threat to shipping as SEVERE. Insurers remain unwilling to cover vessels passing through the narrow waterway.

Ship operators also report GPS spoofing by Iran, which makes navigation risky. The new Persian Gulf Strait Authority has issued guidance for vessels in the area.

The strait carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supply. Any long disruption raises fuel prices for importers, including India.

For now, most tankers are taking longer, costlier routes. Analysts say traffic will only recover when insurers and shipowners trust the security guarantees.

Shipping insurance rates for the region remain at crisis levels.