London, Aug. 15 -- Shipping traffic via the Strait of Hormuz was recorded at being just 17% of its pre-war levels in the past seven days, according to numbers given by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre.
One of the world's most important waterways, control of the strategic waterway has become a major focus between both US and Iran in their ongoing war.
While US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after "we finish defeating Iran," Tehran swiftly rejected the claim, with Iran's deputy foreign minister mockingly remarking that the vital strait "cannot be seized with a tweet" or an aircraft carrier.
Only 151 ships have so far either entered or left the narrow waterway...