straight open says Don

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/13/us-iran-war-missile-strikes-news-attacks-strait-of-hormuz

Maritime security threat in strait of Hormuz remains 'severe' - UKMTO

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) has put out an advisory note warning that the maritime security threat level in the strait of Hormuz remains “severe”.

The British shipping security monitor said that, despite Iran announcing the strait is closed, the “southern route” is still available and “has been expanded to accommodate two-way traffic”.

It advised mariners to be wary of mine dangers and strongly encourages coordination with the US Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping, NCAGS, an American navy entity that monitors and coordinates with merchant ships.

Oman’s territorial waters are the only stretch of the strait where Tehran cannot easily lay mines or exert control in other ways. The US has urged mariners to travel on the southern route through Oman’s territorial waters to avoid Iran.

But Iran has laid out a system of lanes through the north of the strait close to the Iranian coast, and has insisted that all vessels use this route (or face consequences).

The advisory note from the UKMTO read:

Coordination with NCAGS is not mandatory. Ships may transit the southern route without coordination. There is no controlling authority regulating passage or fee required for any route.