AFP,
Paris
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz climbed to its highest level since the war began, as Iran yesterday announced it would block UN nuclear inspections at sites struck by the US and Israel last year.
Analytics platform Kpler recorded at least 37 crossings on Monday, one week after a memorandum of understanding was reached between the United States and Iran.
AXSMarine, another shipping data provider that tracks transits by commercial vessels, including container ships, counted 42 crossings on Monday -- also a record.
AFP found that 51 different vessels passed through the strait by cross-referencing the two lists.
This represents 42.5 percent of normal peacetime traffic -- around 120 vessels a day -- through the strategic waterway, which normally carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports.
According to the MoU, both parties will embark on a 60-day period of talks to settle broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.
The negotiations, launched over the weekend at Switzerland’s luxury Burgenstock resort, raised hopes for a lasting settlement and pushed down oil prices.
They agreed to set up four negotiating groups on nuclear issues, sanctions and other matters, Iranian state media said.
The US Treasury said it had temporarily lifted sanctions on Iran to allow it to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products until mid-August.
As part of the deal, Washington also agreed to release $12 billion in frozen funds to Iran, Iranian state media reported.
Meanwhile, Iran yesterday denied US Vice President JD Vance’s claim that Tehran had agreed to invite International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back.
“We have not had a meeting with the director general of the IAEA, nor do we have any plans for the agency to inspect Iran’s nuclear facilities damaged by US and Zionist military aggression,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing.
However, US President Donald Trump later said Iran had agreed to comprehensive nuclear inspections.