Regime Allows Traffic in Measures

By Mark Davidson on August 23, 2026 • ( 0 )

(23 August 2026) It is now 9 pm MST August 23, or, 3 AM GMT, August 24. We have been watching events centered on Iran and its regime, waiting for escalation of what looks to be the Second Signpost.

We have been watching since February 28. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed since March 2, and/or under the control of the Iranian regime. After 174 days looks like it is opening back up.

But there is a reason for this, I believe.

ZeroHedge reports that in the past week traffic through the Strait of Hormuz saw 200 ships pass through, up from 150 the week before. That may sound like a lot of traffic until you realize the number of ships that would pass through the Strait on any given day prior to the war was at a rate of 800 to 900 ships per week.

Therefore, 200 ships is barely one-quarter of traffic prior to the war. The world is still losing 3 million to 8 million barrels per day.

The events in the Persian Gulf seem to be pointing to the regime wanting to drain the world inventory of oil to near zero, but not take it to zero so that prices are high but not exorbitant. Many countries may experience fuel shortages but not the whole world by and large. This conclusion was reached in a post here back on July 8.

Conclusion

The ZeroHedge article headline reads the regime is losing control of the Strait. However, it is the regime simply biding their time, waiting for the right opportunity to start the Second Signpost.

They want to carry out the Second Signpost but must work around the US military.

They want the world inventory of oil on a thin line between refilling, and being completely drained. This allows immediate shock in prices and to the economy of the world when they do strike, without there being shock ahead of time.

We may see cycles of lower traffic and higher traffic before this is over.

Keep watch.