An AFP analysis of maritime data shows that 60 per cent of commodity-bearing ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Middle East war have either come from Iran or were heading there.

From March 1 to the morning of April 3, global maritime analytics firm Kpler identified 221 ships carrying oil, gas or other commodities that crossed the strait to enter or leave the Gulf.

An AFP analysis based on Kpler data showed that some transited it several times, accounting for a total of 240 crossings. Nearly six out of 10 crossings have involved ships coming from or bound for Iran, a share that rises to 64pc for vessels transporting cargo.

Other countries of origin or destination lag far behind — United Arab Emirates (20pc of all crossings), China (15pc), India (14pc), Saudi Arabia (8pc), Oman (8pc), Brazil (6pc) and Iraq (5pc).

Among the 118 crossings by ships carrying cargo, 37 transported crude oil totalling 8.45 million tonnes. All were leaving the Gulf, while 30 originated from Iran or sailed under the Iranian flag. Most were sailing to an unknown destination.