Iran Imposes Strict 15-Vessel Daily Limit on Strait of Hormuz Under Fragile New Ceasefire Agreement

Iran imposes a 15-vessel daily limit on the Strait of Hormuz as part of a ceasefire deal with the US, following a month-long maritime blockade.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 9:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

TASS Reports New Limits on Global Oil Artery

Iran has agreed to allow a maximum of 15 vessels per day to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Russia's state news agency TASS. Citing a senior Iranian official, the report indicates that this quota is a core provision of the temporary ceasefire negotiated between Washington and Tehran. The 34-kilometer-wide waterway, which separates Iran and Oman, is the world's most critical maritime chokepoint, facilitating the passage of approximately 20% of global oil supplies and significant quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This new daily limit, while representing a slight reopening from the total blockade of recent weeks, remains a fraction of the historical average of roughly 140 transits per day.

Ceasefire Born Under Extreme Diplomatic Pressure

The two-week truce, brokered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was finalized on April 8, 2026, just hours before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. The President had previously threatened to target Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if the Strait was not immediately reopened. Despite the agreement, the terms remain contentious; the Iranian government's 10-point proposal includes demands for war reparations, the lifting of all sanctions, and continued Iranian "protocol and conditions" for navigation. The current 15-ship limit is being viewed by maritime analysts as a "controlled release" rather than a full return to freedom of navigation.

Economic Shockwaves and Energy Market Volatility

The near-total closure of the Strait since February 28 has triggered an unprecedented surge in global energy prices and left nearly 2,000 vessels, including oil tankers and cargo ships, stranded in the Persian Gulf. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that 20,000 seafarers have been trapped aboard these vessels for over a month. While the 15-vessel daily quota offers a path for some stranded tankers to exit the Gulf, it is insufficient to clear the massive backlog or stabilize global markets. The "Strait of Hormuz surcharge" in insurance premiums and shipping costs is expected to remain in place as long as Tehran maintains its restrictive oversight of the waterway.