Strait of Hormuz Traffic Halts After US-Israel Attack on Iran

On February 28, marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a near standstill following a military attack by Israel and the United States on Iran. The strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, normally sees a steady flow of vessels. Data from Kpler Marine Traffic, visualized by Gregor Aisch and Zacharias Zacharakis for Die Zeit, shows ships docking or halting movement in the region. The attack marks a significant escalation in Middle East tensions, directly threatening the transit of about 20% of the world's petroleum. The disruption underscores the vulnerability of global energy supply chains to geopolitical conflict. No official statements from involved governments have been released regarding the traffic stoppage.

Global Impact

Economic: A prolonged closure could trigger a global recession via oil price spikes, reminiscent of 1973. Political: The attack risks a broader regional war, drawing in Gulf Arab states and potentially disrupting the Hormuz transit for months.