Bloomberg reported that at least eight ships that intended to exit the Persian Gulf via the coast of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz reversed course between Friday and Saturday. According to this news outlet, the change in the ships’ routes indicates that the full reopening of this strategic waterway still faces efforts by the Islamic Republic to impose control over shipping routes. Based on ship-tracking data, some of these vessels, after changing course, passed through a route closer to the Iranian coasts. The Islamic Republic says ships must pass only through the route set by Tehran. Meanwhile, the United States continues to support the passage of ships along the Oman coast.