West Asia war LIVE: Saudi Arabia warns it will react 'firmly' to Houthi attacks

Shipping traffic at the Strait of Hormuz dwindled further at the start of this week after attacks intensified in ‌West Asia, shipping data showed.

Commodity vessel transits at Hormuz totalled four on ⁠Monday, down from 10 during the previous day, preliminary data from Kpler showed on Tuesday.

Two dry bulk carriers exited ‌the waterway, including one laden and one ballast vessel, while two oil tankers ‌entered the strait, both in ballast mode.

The ‌figures ⁠exclude some vessels that might have ⁠crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Republican congressman Wesley Hunt, a US Army veteran, as his new ambassador to Saudi Arabia -- a post that had been left vacant amid the war with Iran.

Hunt’s nomination was sent Monday (September 14) to the U.S. Senate, which must vote on his confirmation.