The National Post reports in its Tuesday edition that dozens of commercial ships have recently navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian restrictions due to the ongoing war. The Post's Swikar Oli writes that the U.S. Central Command has assisted nearly 70 ships over three weeks, averaging three daily, compared with the usual 100. The vessels turned off their transponders and stayed close to the Omani coast to avoid detection. "Though U.S. forces are not escorting, we continue to communicate and co-ordinate with commercial ships seeking to freely and safely transit the Strait of Hormuz," Capt. Tim Hawkins of Central Command said in a statement to the Times. Tehran has enforced its blockade by laying sea mines, boarding ships and attacking non-allied vessels attempting passage. More than a thousand ships and about 20,000 seafarers have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the conflict began on Feb. 28. Many ships continue to venture close to Iran's coasts, suggesting that deals are being made with Tehran to gain access to the strait, The Times reported. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new agency set up by Iran, has enacted a tiered access system, charging some tankers while letting other ships cross for free.