Qatar-controlled LNG tankers enter Strait of Hormuz as shipping traffic drops

Four LNG tankers controlled by QatarEnergy entered the Strait of Hormuz on Monday via the Iranian-side route for the first time since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began. The moves came even as overall traffic through the waterway fell after Iran said it had again shut the strait over the weekend. The U.S. Central Command said 55 merchant ships still transited the strait on Saturday carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. Iran also said more than 25 million barrels of its oil had crossed the virtual blockade line since Monday.