Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained severely constrained despite President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. has "total control" of the waterway. Kpler recorded five confirmed crossings on Aug. 31, a 50% decline from 10 the previous day. Four vessels entered the Middle East Gulf and one left, using Iranian, Omani and negotiated routes. Two were shadow vessels, which use deceptive practices such as disabling transponders or carrying sanctioned goods, and one was sanctioned. Marine Traffic data also showed only a handful of ships passing through on Thursday. The figures contrast with statements from Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, that the U.S. had helped move oil and that 30 ships had crossed. The dispute comes as the U.S. national average gasoline price reached $4.1436 per gallon, according to AAA. Tensions escalated after new U.S. sanctions on Iran, described as an "economic D-Day," and U.S. strikes targeting IRGC positions that CENTCOM said were preparing to mine the waterway. Iran later struck U.S. assets and criticized U.S. attacks on Kuhestak that killed four people, including a child, at a wedding ceremony and injured more than 50 others.