The analytics firm Kpler tracks ships using transponders and satellite data, and according to the company, more than 80 percent of ships sailing through the strait have taken the route along the coast of Oman - a route that Iran opposes. Iran has over time attacked a large number of ships sailing there.
But despite the risks, more and more ships are now choosing to ignore Iran's demands and threats and have sailed through the strait, with the promise of protection from American ships.
"It looks more and more like Iran has at least partially lost control of the strait," Homayoun Falakshahi, an oil analyst at Kpler, told CNN.
Just a month ago, the situation was different. Kpler observed virtually no traffic at all off the coast of Oman.
