Hormuz Transits Collapse to Four as Iran-U.S. War Grinds Through Chokepoint

Vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to four on Tuesday, against a 10-day average of 18, according to preliminary shipping data from Kpler cited by Middle East Eye. This coincides with CBS News publishing images — described as provided by U.S. military personnel on condition of anonymity — showing extensive damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East from Iranian missile and drone attacks. The Pentagon has separately confirmed critical weapons shortfalls resulting from the ongoing Iran conflict, a finding that contradicts prior public statements. The U.S. Embassy issued a 'reconsider travel' advisory for Saudi Arabia, citing risks from Iranian drone and missile targeting, and the Saudi-led coalition accused Houthis of targeting Mecca's airspace with a drone — a claim Houthi forces denied. Iranian FM Araghchi is traveling to Beijing for talks with Wang Yi, deepening the China-Iran diplomatic alignment as the crisis escalates.