Confusion continues over the status of the Strait of Hormuz as the Iran war continues, with shipping traffic still largely halted despite claims the route has reopened.
Both Iran and US President Donald Trump have said the waterway is open but data shows little change on the ground.
Maritime traffic through the strait, a major global trade route, remained minimal on Friday, according to CBC.
About 20 ships began moving toward the channel but soon stopped or turned back without any apparent explanation. As of Saturday morning, ships were still piled up on both sides of the narrow passage.
The uncertainty comes amid a fragile ceasefire. A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran began on April 7, while a separate 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon was recently announced.
Iran has said shipping can resume as long as hostilities stop, but the US naval blockade is still in place.
Trump said Iran “has removed or is in the process of removing all sea mines planted in the strait,” but there was no confirmation from Tehran. Authorities have warned that it could take weeks to clear the mines.
Shipping companies, meanwhile, remain cautious, as Knut Arild Hareide tells CBC there are “many uncertainties” about reopening.
