Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply, with dozens, possibly hundreds, of vessels waiting near its entrances as tensions disrupt one of the world’s most vital energy routes.

Journalist Inzamam Rashid, reporting from near the strait, said the waterway, which normally carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supply, is seeing only a fraction of its usual traffic.

“What we have seen, in fact, is boats and vessels being targeted by Iran, those who attempt to pass through, but also those that are not affiliated with the US and its allies,” Rashid said.

• “Just the other day, we saw a Thai-flagged carrier being targeted by an Iranian ballistic missile. That meant that 20 of the crew members there had to be rescued, and three of them are still missing at sea.”

  Trump says he’s sparing infrastructure in Iran

  Trump claims that the US is trying to avoid causing extensive damage to Iran’s infrastructure.

  “I left a lot of infrastructure in Tehran because if you did it, it’s years of building,” Trump said during a phone interview with PBS.

  “I could knock out the electric plants in one hour … but if I do that, that’s years of rebuilding and it’s trauma. So I’m trying to hold off on that kind of thing.”

  Iran had threatened to plunge the entire region into darkness if its electric grid is attacked.

  Trump also said that US forces did not strike oil pipes when it attacked Kharg island a few days ago.

  “Kharg Island is out of commission except for the pipes, which I left. I didn’t want to hit the pipes because, you know, it’s years of work to put them together,” said Trump.

  Iranian authorities say US and Israeli strikes are causing extensive damage to civilian sites, including residential buildings, schools and hospitals.

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  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/3/16/iran-war-live-tehran-rejects-trump-claim-on-talks-gulf-attacks-continue