Vessel traffic on the Oman coastal route through the Strait of Hormuz saw a sharp decline on Sunday, as Iran continues to assert control over this critical maritime passage. On Saturday, several vessels navigating this route made abrupt course changes, with some opting for the Iranian side of the strait. A product tanker that initially turned back on Saturday has resumed its journey, passing the northern tip of the Oman Musandam Peninsula. Data from Kpler indicates that 19 vessels traversed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, but only one used the Oman route, a significant drop from 13 on Friday. Iran has reiterated that vessels must use lanes it designates, and some ships have resorted to "dark shipping" to cross the strait. The reasons for the sudden course changes remain unclear, but the strategic importance of the strait underscores the impact of Iran's maritime policies.