Singapore, Sept. 15 (SANA)Shipping traffic through theStrait of Hormuzdeclined further amid escalating tensions in theMiddle East, according to preliminary data from shipping data provider Kpler.

Reutersreported Tuesday that Kpler data showed four vessels transited the strait on Monday, compared with 10 vessels the previous day.

The data indicated that two dry bulk carriers exited the waterway, including one loaded vessel and one empty vessel, while two oil tankers entered the strait, both sailing without cargo.

Kpler said the figures may not include some vessels that crossed the strait after switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitters to avoid detection.

In the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Kpler data showed that 21 cargo vessels passed through the waterway on Monday, down from 28 the previous day.

The decline in shipping traffic comes asGulfstates postponed talks with Iran that had been scheduled to discuss possible arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The developments also followed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia on civilian areas in the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Monday, which resulted in injuries to 13 civilians and damage to several residential homes and two vehicles.