At least six ships, including a few Iran-linked vessels, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. This represents a fraction of the usual traffic as the crucial waterway remains effectively closed to most international shipping amid blockades by both Tehran and the United States.
Iran effectively closed the waterway on February 28 when war broke out. Normally, one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transits the waterway, and its closure has sent energy prices skyrocketing around the world.
As the United States and Iran remain deadlocked over terms to re-open the waterway, the Trump administration is asking other nations to join a new international coalition to help jump-start ship traffic and enable navigation. The effort is a joint initiative by the State Department and the Pentagon.