London, July 20 (SANA)Tanker traffic through theStrait of Hormuzfell sharply at the start of the week as military tensions between theUnited StatesandIrancontinued to escalate, according to shipping data from theLondon Stock Exchange Group(LSEG).

Reuters, citing the data, reported that only four vessels transited the strategic waterway on Sunday, down from eight the previous day. Since Friday, three product tankers and one very large crude carrier (VLCC) have entered the Gulf to load cargoes.

The data also showed that no liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has passed through the strait since Thursday, while only one LNG cargo departed the Gulf during the past week. Some vessels have also switched off their tracking systems to conceal their movements.

Despite the slowdown in outbound shipping, LNG production and storage operations across the Gulf have continued, potentially allowing exports to resume quickly once tensions ease and maritime traffic returns to normal.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important chokepoints for oil and gas exports. The disruption to shipping comes amid an escalating military confrontation between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over global energy supplies and international trade.