There is one number that explains everything that just happened.

The Strait of Hormuz historically averages one hundred thirty-eight vessel transits per day per UKMTO. Across May 3 and May 4, UKMTO recorded eleven.

A ninety-two percent collapse from baseline.

Of those eleven, four cargo vessels and one oil tanker transited east, leaving the Persian Gulf, including the two under US escort. CBS analysis Wednesday found many remaining Gulf vessels had switched off AIS or were faking locations.

Lloyd’s said in a media briefing Wednesday that Project Freedom had not provided sufficient clarity or credible protection to justify resuming transits.

That is the institutional verdict on the dome.

Read what the data says against what was promised. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had established a red, white and blue dome over the Strait, supported by hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones and surveillance aircraft.

The dome operated for two days. Eleven transits cleared the strait.

The MOU that arrived Wednesday is the bridge built across that number.

By Friday May 8 we will know whether the bridge holds.

One hundred thirty-eight to eleven. That is the gap diplomacy must close.