ChainThink report, on March 16, according to vessel tracking data, an Aframax oil tanker named "Karachi" has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is now en route to Pakistan. This marks one of the few oil tankers to have successfully exited the Persian Gulf since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran.

Data shows the tanker is under the control of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, having completed its passage through a maritime route near the Iranian coast last Sunday, and is now detected in waters near Sohar. Vessels recently transiting the strait have generally opted to navigate closer to the Iranian side to mitigate risks.

With escalating regional conflict, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—accounting for approximately 20% of global crude oil shipping—nearly ground to a halt. Countries are closely monitoring whether any vessels resume passage. Meanwhile, several nations have initiated negotiations with Tehran on transit arrangements; for example, India has secured authorization for two LPG tankers to transit the strait.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz is not fully closed, but only “closed to ships from hostile nations.” Meanwhile, Iran’s new leader Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that Tehran will retain the strategic lever to “close the strait” if necessary.

The Middle East conflict enters its third week, with shipping risks through the strait continuing to rise. Trump has called on multiple countries to dispatch warships to escort commercial vessels and restore maritime routes, though allied nations such as Japan have yet to commit. Industry experts believe even if tensions ease, full recovery of strait shipping could take several weeks.