Early September 27, Iran's IRGC Navy said it targeted a Togo-flagged oil tanker attempting an unauthorized passage through the Strait of Hormuz, setting the vessel ablaze and stopping it [1]. The tanker's name, crew condition, and damage extent have not been announced. If confirmed, this would be the latest in a series of attacks on shipping in the strait, which has been effectively closed on an insurance basis since February 28 [2].

Trump on September 26 directly confirmed rejecting Iran's seven-day reopening plan, which Tehran said could restore normal passage within a week of US acceptance [2][3]. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said the choice rests with the United States and that a concrete plan conveyed via Qatar required Washington to lift the naval blockade, release frozen assets, and end sanctions [3]. Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly September 23 that Iran would not allow free passage while US sanctions and the naval blockade remain [3].

Kpler data published September 25 shows crude oil flows out of the Gulf via Hormuz at 33.7 million barrels for the week starting September 20, with 19 tankers including 17 VLCCs [3]. A seven-day rolling average of outbound flows topped 13.5 million barrels per day, led by a surge in Saudi Gulf loadings [3]. But commodity-vessel transits fell to 9 on September 25, down from 14 the previous day and well below the 10-day average of 18 [1]. Eight of the nine tracked vessels exited; only one entered [1].

Oil passage through Hormuz remains unconfirmed from independent counts. Insurance-based closure persists; vessels sailing with AIS transponders off are not counted [1]. Saudi Arabia's bypass pipeline restarted at low rate September 22 but Yanbu loadings remain suspended. Brent settled near $104 [2].