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

LONDON — 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 key war-torn passageway. Before the war which started more than a month ago, 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 U.S. and Israeli attacks. The near closing of the international artery has led to fuel shortages and soaring energy prices across the globe. Thursday's passage of the three was notable because they sailed close to the Omani Musandam Peninsula to the south of the waterway on Thursday, maritime traffic data showed Friday. The few vessels that have crossed the chokepoint since the start of the Middle East war have passed using an Iranian-approved route through its waters near Larak Island, dubbed the "Tehran Toll Booth" by leading shipping journal Lloyd's List. No other ships have been tracked "not takin

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