Three tankers, including one Japanese-owned, cross Strait of Hormuz near Oman

Three tankers, including one co-owned by a Japanese company, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday by hugging close to Oman's shore, a rare transit route as Iran maintains a chokehold on the waterway.

Before the war, which started on 28 February, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait, but that has dwindled to a trickle as Iran selectively attacks ships and energy facilities throughout the Gulf in retaliation against US and Israeli attacks.

The near closure of the international artery has led to fuel shortages and soaring energy prices across the world.

Thursday's passage of the three tankers was notable because they sailed close to the Omani Musandam Peninsula to the south of the waterway on Thursday, maritime traffic data showed on Friday.