Two tankers carrying liquefied natural gas have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the latest sign that traffic through the vital shipping lane may be picking up as talks to extend a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US continue.
The two ships, carrying LNG from Qatar and bound for China and Pakistan, are now broadcasting positions in the Arabian Sea, according to data from shipping intelligence firm MarineTraffic. Another tanker, carrying crude oil, crossed the strait on Saturday, bound for Ningbo, China.
The passage of the three vessels comes amid intense talks between the US and Iran over the weekend to extend the ceasefire between the two countries by 60 days and reopen the strait. Mediators on Monday stepped up their efforts to get a deal over the line.