First Western Vessel Transits Strait of Hormuz Since Iran War

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A French-owned shipping vessel was the first Western ship permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel started the war in Iran. The container ship, owned by the company CMA CGM, is one of several vessels that were allowed to pass through the strait after weeks of Iran restricting non-Iranian traffic in response to the ongoing conflict.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global trade route, with around 20% of the world's oil and gas supply typically transiting through it daily. The closure of the strait has had major economic and energy implications worldwide, and the ability of non-Iranian vessels to resume passage is an important development.

The details

The French ship sailed under the Maltese flag and is believed to have been idling in the Persian Gulf since early March, similar to many other vessels, after Iran choked off non-Iranian traffic in response to the war. The ship switched on its transponder and looked to leave the gulf on Thursday afternoon after Iran permitted several ships, including three tankers and at least one liquefied natural gas tanker owned by a Japanese company, to transit the strait.

• On April 3, 2026, the French-owned container ship was the first Western vessel permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Iran war.
• In early March 2026, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian traffic in response to the war with the U.S. and Israel.

What’s next

The United States has discussed sending U.S. Navy vessels to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, although that could be expensive, time-consuming, and put U.S. troops and assets in danger. Other nations, including Britain, are also looking for ways to move vessels through the strait regardless of the war in Iran.