The reduction marks a gradual easing in the number of ships affected by disruptions in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors, although Japanese shipping companies remain cautious about resuming normal operations through the Strait.

A spokesperson for the association said on Monday that shipping firms would independently determine when to restart transits through the waterway after confirming safe passage conditions, including assurances that no mines are present.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on X on Friday that a vessel carrying three Japanese crew members had exited the Gulf and was heading to Japan. The vessel was not identified. Its departure means all 24 Japanese crew members who were in the Gulf when the conflict began have now left the region.

The association said Japan is advocating for international organizations, including the International Maritime Organization, to take the lead in developing fair and coordinated procedures to facilitate the orderly departure of vessels still stranded in the Gulf.

The immediate focus remains ensuring the safe movement of ships currently trapped in the area, the spokesperson said, adding that there are no plans at present for vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz to load cargo.

Shipping activity through the strategic waterway declined sharply on Sunday after Iran announced it had once again closed the Strait, citing what it described as Israeli and U.S. violations of an interim peace agreement, according to shipping data.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy exports, and disruptions to navigation through the passage are closely monitored by governments, shipping operators and energy markets worldwide.

Kuwait said one person was killed and several others were injured after Iranian attacks struck civilian and vital infrastructure, including Kuwait International Airport. The foreign ministry said the assault caused damage to key facilities and diplomatic missions, while air traffic was temporarily suspended before operations resumed later from Terminal 4 following safety assessments.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, an airbase and military helicopters in a Gulf state, describing the operation as retaliation for what it called a U.S. strike on a communications tower south of Qeshm Island.

The U.S. military rejected Iran’s account, saying its forces intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain before conducting strikes on Qeshm Island. U.S. Central Command said no Iranian projectiles reached their intended targets.

Iranian media reported explosions near Qeshm Island, located close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran also accused U.S. forces of striking an Iranian tanker near the waterway. The IRGC said it subsequently targeted a vessel identified as Panaya with missiles.

The renewed hostilities followed reports from Iranian media that communication with international mediators over extending a ceasefire framework had stalled. However, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed suggestions that talks had ceased, saying discussions with Tehran had continued in recent days.

Trump also reiterated that negotiations remained active and urged Iran to reach an agreement, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that any sanctions relief would depend on Tehran abandoning its nuclear activities.The confrontation comes amid a broader regional conflict that began in late February following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Although Washington and Tehran announced a tentative framework last week aimed at ending the war, no final agreement has been reached.The conflict has increasingly intersected with fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

Iranian officials have linked any lasting truce to a reduction in hostilities in Lebanon, while the United States and Israel maintain the two issues are separate.Iran continues to seek sanctions relief, access to frozen oil revenues and eased restrictions affecting its energy exports, while Washington says preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains its primary objective.

The latest military exchanges have further heightened concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor that previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, with disruptions continuing to affect shipping, trade and humanitarian supply chains across multiple regions.

The report by Iran’s Fars news agency came hours after Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during summit talks in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy supplies.

According to Fars, citing an informed source, the arrangement followed requests from China’s foreign minister and ambassador to Tehran. Iran subsequently agreed to facilitate the passage of a number of Chinese-linked vessels within what the report described as the framework of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The report did not specify how many ships would be permitted to transit or whether broader restrictions on international shipping remained in place.Iran sharply tightened controls over movement through the Strait following the start of US and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, significantly disrupting maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The situation worsened after a US blockade on Iranian ports began shortly after a ceasefire agreement reached in early April, prolonging instability across the Gulf region and affecting shipping routes responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas flows.It remained unclear how significantly the latest arrangement would alter maritime operations in practice.

During the conflict, Iranian authorities had already indicated that vessels considered neutral particularly those linked to China — could pass through the Strait if they coordinated movements with Iranian military forces.

Ship-tracking data showed that a Chinese supertanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude successfully passed through the Strait on Wednesday after being stranded in Gulf waters for more than two months due to the conflict.

The renewed movement of Chinese vessels through Hormuz highlights Beijing’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement in Gulf security issues as disruptions in the region continue to fuel volatility in global energy markets.

The report by Iran’s Fars news agency came hours after Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during summit talks in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy supplies.

According to Fars, citing an informed source, the arrangement followed requests from China’s foreign minister and ambassador to Tehran. Iran subsequently agreed to facilitate the passage of a number of Chinese-linked vessels within what the report described as the framework of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The report did not specify how many ships would be permitted to transit or whether broader restrictions on international shipping remained in place.Iran sharply tightened controls over movement through the Strait following the start of US and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, significantly disrupting maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The situation worsened after a US blockade on Iranian ports began shortly after a ceasefire agreement reached in early April, prolonging instability across the Gulf region and affecting shipping routes responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas flows.

It remained unclear how significantly the latest arrangement would alter maritime operations in practice. During the conflict, Iranian authorities had already indicated that vessels considered neutral — particularly those linked to China could pass through the Strait if they coordinated movements with Iranian military forces.

Ship-tracking data showed that a Chinese supertanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude successfully passed through the Strait on Wednesday after being stranded in Gulf waters for more than two months due to the conflict.

The renewed movement of Chinese vessels through Hormuz highlights Beijing’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement in Gulf security issues as disruptions in the region continue to fuel volatility in global energy markets.

South Korea’s foreign ministry said the Panama-flagged bulk carrier HMM Namu sustained significant damage after being hit twice on Monday while transiting the strategic waterway, which has faced severe disruption since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran in late February.

Foreign ministry spokesman Park Il told reporters that “two unidentified aircraft struck the outer plate of the port-side ballast tank at the stern” of the vessel at roughly one-minute intervals, igniting flames and heavy smoke.

Park said investigators had not yet determined the type, origin or size of the aircraft involved, despite CCTV footage capturing the incident. South Korean authorities are conducting further analysis of engine debris and fragments recovered from the vessel.

According to the ministry, the first strike is believed to have ignited a fire in the engine room, while the second impact accelerated the spread of the blaze. Damage to the hull extended approximately five meters across and seven meters inward on the vessel’s port-side stern.

The ship, carrying 24 crew members, later arrived at port in Dubai with visible fire damage.U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that Iran had “taken some shots” at the vessel and urged South Korea to participate in U.S.-led operations intended to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Iran has denied involvement.

Tehran’s embassy in Seoul issued a statement rejecting what it called allegations linking Iranian forces to the attack and said it “firmly rejects and categorically denies” responsibility.South Korea summoned Iran’s ambassador to seek clarification regarding Tehran’s position and discuss the findings of the preliminary investigation, Park said.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil consumption typically passes, has become a focal point of military escalation since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran earlier this year.

Tehran has since responded with attacks across the region and measures that have sharply reduced maritime traffic through the corridor, fueling volatility in global energy markets.

Commercial shipping companies and insurers have increasingly rerouted vessels or suspended operations in the Gulf amid rising security risks and mounting concerns over attacks on tankers and cargo ships.

Speaking at U.N. headquarters alongside diplomats from Gulf states and the United States, Alwasil urged support for a draft Security Council resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and remove obstacles affecting maritime traffic through the strait.“The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery of global trade and any disruption to its security is a matter of serious international concern,” Alwasil said.

He said the proposed resolution sought immediate international measures to “de-escalate tensions, ensure the free and safe flow of trade and humanitarian assistance, restore stability to global markets, and protect affected populations.”Alwasil warned that disruptions to shipping routes were affecting energy markets and delaying deliveries of food, medical supplies and humanitarian goods, particularly for import-dependent countries.

The Saudi envoy appeared alongside representatives from Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as Mike Waltz, who said freedom of navigation was central to global economic stability.

“We believe in some basic fundamental principles, namely the freedom of navigation for the entire world’s economies,” Waltz told reporters. “That’s what’s at stake here, nothing less than a cornerstone of worldwide stability and commerce.”Diplomatic sources said Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council and a close Iranian ally, warned it was prepared to veto the resolution.

Moscow and Beijing previously abstained on a March resolution condemning Iranian attacks on Gulf states and criticizing restrictions on shipping through Hormuz.

According to diplomats, the latest U.S.-Bahrain draft resolution calls on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, disclose the locations of naval mines, refrain from imposing transit tolls and allow the establishment of humanitarian shipping corridors for fertilizer and other essential cargo.

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments and around one-third of global fertilizer trade, making it one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime chokepoints.

Commercial shipping traffic through the waterway has been heavily disrupted since conflict erupted on Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Regional instability has since fueled concerns over energy supplies, commodity prices and global food security.

In early April, Russia and China vetoed another Security Council proposal that would have encouraged coordinated international efforts to secure maritime navigation through the strait.

Trump indicated the pause was intended to create diplomatic space for negotiations, signaling a possible shift toward a negotiated resolution in the strategically vital waterway, a key global oil transit route.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, which has disrupted shipping flows and contributed to increased energy costs. Despite the pause in operational activity, the continued enforcement of the blockade suggests that pressure on the situation will be maintained while talks proceed.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, has remained at the center of geopolitical and economic concerns, with recent incidents underscoring the risks to commercial shipping and global energy markets.

US officials have not disclosed details of the proposed agreement or the parties involved, and no timeline has been provided for the duration of the pause.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to the Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be open to all,” Trump said on social media, warning that failure to accept the proposal would result in intensified military action.

The remarks come amid indications that Washington and Tehran are nearing a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and initiating further negotiations, according to a source familiar with the talks.

The proposed framework would declare an end to the war and launch a 30-day negotiating period to finalize arrangements covering maritime transit through the strait, limits on Iran’s nuclear program, and the lifting of US sanctions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be ensured once US threats subside, adding that new procedures were being implemented for shipping, though no details were provided.The developments follow Trump’s decision to pause “Project Freedom,” a US naval mission intended to escort vessels through the waterway, citing progress in negotiations.

The blockade, however, remains in force.The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, has been largely closed to international shipping since late February, when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. The disruption has severely affected global energy flows and heightened geopolitical tensions.

According to sources, the draft memorandum could include provisions for Iran to halt nuclear enrichment activities, while the United States would lift sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds. Both sides would also gradually ease restrictions on shipping during the negotiation period.

The talks involve US envoys and Iranian officials engaging directly and through intermediaries, with Pakistan playing a mediating role, the source said.Despite the diplomatic progress, incidents in the strait have continued.

A French shipping company reported that one of its container vessels was struck in the waterway this week, with injured crew evacuated.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking during a visit to China, said Tehran was seeking a “fair and comprehensive agreement” but did not directly address Trump’s latest comments.

The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted shipping and triggered repeated strikes on vessels and regional targets, underscoring the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global trade and energy markets.

The UAE blamed Iran for the attack, which occurred on Monday at an energy installation along the Gulf coast. Iranian state television said the Islamic republic had “no pre-planned program” to target oil facilities in the UAE.

India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi “calls for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians,” adding that the country supports efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

He also urged “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law.”The incident comes amid broader disruptions to energy supply chains since the onset of conflict in the Middle East in late February. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, typically sources about half of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

Analysts have warned that India’s reliance on imported energy, combined with relatively modest strategic reserves compared with major consumers such as China, leaves it exposed to price volatility and supply shocks linked to regional instability.Shipping and import data indicate that New Delhi has moved to offset disruptions by diversifying supply, including increased reliance on Russian crude.

This shift follows earlier efforts to reduce dependence on such imports amid pressure from U.S. trade measures.India has reiterated its readiness to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilizing the region, as tensions continue to threaten key maritime routes and energy infrastructure.

The statement from Seoul followed a call by US President Donald Trump urging South Korea to participate in efforts to escort commercial shipping through the waterway, a critical route for global energy supplies.

South Korea’s defense ministry said it would “carefully review our position” without committing to any deployment, adding that its decision would take into account international law, maritime safety, the alliance with the United States, and security conditions on the Korean Peninsula.

An explosion and fire were reported on Monday aboard the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu while it was anchored near the United Arab Emirates within the strait. All 24 crew members, including six South Korean nationals, were unharmed, according to the foreign ministry.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with South Korean authorities saying the extent of the damage will be assessed after the vessel is secured.

Trump said the incifent should prompt Seoul to join US efforts, suggesting the vessel may have come under Iranian fire, although this has not been independently confirmed.The Strait of Hormuz has seen sharply reduced shipping activity since late February due to ongoing hostilities involving Iran, effectively disrupting a key artery for oil exports.

The United States has launched a naval initiative aimed at guiding stranded vessels through the area, amid reports of repeated maritime incidents and exchanges between US and Iranian forces.

South Korea, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports, said it is participating in international discussions on ensuring safe passage through the strait. Officials also emphasized that any decision on involvement would reflect broader strategic and legal considerations, including domestic procedures.

The incident highlights growing risks to commercial shipping in the region, as governments weigh responses to protect trade routes while avoiding deeper military entanglement in the conflict.