The number of ships transiting the ‌Strait of Hormuz has fallen to the lowest in more than two months, new shipping data shows.

The data from analytics firm Kpler showed that on Tuesday only seven commodity vessels passed through the strategic waterway, which has remained under the tight grip of the Islamic Republic since the early days of the illegal US-Israeli military assault against the country. The figure is the lowest recorded since July 23.

"Crude crossing the strait fell 27% from a wartime high the week before, to at least 10.1 million barrels a day," Kpler analysts Emmanuel Belostrino and Yui Torikata wrote in a note.

"That is back to its September average, but 74% of its pre-war level."

The ​number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz edged up to 10 on Wednesday, but was well short of the daily tally of over 20 on Sunday and Monday, the data further showed.

Before the start of the war on Iran, about 125 large commercial vessels went through the Strait each per day.

Iran restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the criminal US-Israeli aggression that began on February 28.

On June 17, Tehran and Washington signed the Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), whose Article 5 places responsibility for reopening and managing the Strait squarely in Iran’s hands.

However, Washington attempted to undermine Iran’s sovereignty over the vital global energy chokepoint, resumed its airstrikes on Iran, and imposed a naval blockade in violation of the war-ending deal.

The unlawful US measures prompted Iran to declare the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic, sending oil and gas prices rocketing and sparking global shortage fears.

In a bid to control fuel prices, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Strait is open and that crude is moving through it.

'Oil market responds to reality not US rhetoric'

Speaking on Wednesday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy’s deputy for political affairs dismissed Trump’s claims about the Strait of Hormuz as lies.

“The Americans claim they are getting oil and ships through the Strait of Hormuz. But if that’s really the case, why aren’t oil markets responding accordingly? The market understands what’s actually happening and can tell the difference between rhetoric and reality,” Ali Mohammadi said in the city of Qom.

He also noted that there is no way for any vessel to operate in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman without being detected by the IRGC forces.

“Trump seems to believe that oil prices will plunge like a missile once the war ends. However, he should understand that the decision over when this war ends rests with the Iranian nation—and what may come crashing down just as quickly is his administration and his political standing,” he added.

The commander further emphasized that throughout history, the Iranian nation has shown that they will not surrender in the face of aggression or pressure.

The United States must choose between respecting Iran’s interests and accepting the consequences of its military presence in the region, he continued.