Due to conflicts, the international oil trade is seeking alternative routes to bypass narrow straits like Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, with many now turning to strategically located Syria, which has multiple Mediterranean ports.
Supertankers are increasingly 'going dark' for extended periods to transport oil through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, intensifying tactics previously used during the earlier stages of the Iran war.
Passages through the Strait of Hormuz continued to decline, with eight recorded on Thursday, a 33% decrease from the previous day. Conversely, crossings in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait increased by 18%, totaling 26 passages.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, with Iranian support, are reportedly preparing to impose taxes on ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, replicating a model used by Tehran.
Threats from Houthi rebels to shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have forced at least one Saudi oil tanker carrying crude to reroute its journey to Asia via the Suez Canal.
Operation Aspides has elevated the risk of Houthi attacks to 'high' in the southern Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This assessment indicates an increased threat level for maritime activities in the region due to the ongoing military operation.
Seven pipeline projects are being considered to reduce Iran's strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, as Brent crude futures topped $100 a barrel due to disruptions in the Strait and Bab el-Mandeb.
The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark agreement to establish a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia, allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium. This deal has raised concerns among Israeli officials about potential nuclear proliferation and its impact on regional stability.
WorldBBCcnbcder-standard+12el-mundon1-serbiadnevnik-bghotnewsTimes of Indiacyprus-maildanasDawn+4 more25d ago15 sources
Oil tankers and other commercial vessels are turning around and avoiding the Red Sea following threats and attacks by Yemen's Houthis, with at least nine ships making U-turns near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This highlights concerns about global trade and has prompted Dubai to unveil a deal for a new port system to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Two tankers carrying Saudi crude oil bound for China and India were forced to turn back in the Red Sea after threats from Houthi rebels, who announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. This action has prompted Asian refiners to consider using the Suez Canal for Saudi oil shipments, amid concerns of a widening conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
The US has launched a sixth wave of escalation strikes targeting bridges and civilian infrastructure in Iran, with more promised, while Iran retaliated by hitting a Bahrain refinery, signaling its capability to destroy Gulf energy assets.
Iran has reportedly called on Houthi rebels to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, a critical oil export route, if the United States targets Iran's energy infrastructure. This potential move could significantly escalate the global energy crisis.
Threats from Iran and Houthi rebels to Red Sea shipping are increasingly significant for the global oil market, with the potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait opening a new front in the energy crisis and Iran's conflict with the US.
President Trump announced the US would "take over" the Strait of Hormuz and reimpose a naval blockade, demanding compensation from allies for protection. This declaration followed recent tanker strikes and intensified US-Iran tensions, causing oil prices to jump.
The Chief of Staff of Defense, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, warned parliamentary committees that Italy would be particularly penalized in the event of a blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the Suez Canal, during an audition on the mission decree.
The head of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, issued a warning to the US and Israel, stating that military escalation in Gaza and Lebanon could open new fronts and disrupt shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Ndërsa rebelët Houthi, aleatë të Iranit po përfshihen gjithnjë e më shumë në konflikt, Teherani ka kërcënuar të ndërpresë transportin detar përmes Ngushticës Bab el-Mandeb, një kalim strategjik që…
Global oil prices are climbing and stock markets are falling, including a €17 billion loss for Greek stocks, as investors perceive no immediate end to the ongoing war, exacerbating Middle East tensions and driving up fuel costs. Markets are particularly rattled by concerns over potential blockages of key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, with Wall Street's 'fear gauge' spiking and Asian airlines raising ticket prices. Irish economists warn of escalating global recession risks, while New Zealand's Pharmac monitors medicine supply risks, all contributing to looming energy and supply crises.
The pro-Iranian Houthi organization in Yemen has declared its readiness to strike the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, also known as the 'Gate of Tears,' with the Suez Canal as a target, triggering a global energy alert.
Pokret Ansar Allah iz Jemena zaprijetio je zatvaranjem strateškog moreuza Bab el-Mandeb ako se donese odluka o pružanju vojne podrške Iranu, najavljujući zvaničnu pomorsku blokadu protiv Sjedinjenih…
Iran-backed Houthi rebels are exploiting Yemen's instability to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns that it could become a critical choke point similar to the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices have increased after reports of attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. These incidents have raised concerns about shipping safety and supply disruptions in critical maritime routes.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has plunged, with just three vessels crossing the key waterways, following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers and ongoing regional disruptions.
China has reportedly engaged in direct talks with Yemen's Houthi rebels to secure safe passage for its tankers through the southern Red Sea, following threats of attacks in the region.
Oman presented Iran with a Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees to manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to ease tensions. However, Iran rejected this proposal and offered its own counter-plan, which would grant Tehran greater control over transit lines in the strategic waterway.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait is no longer considered a safe shipping route, raising concerns about its implications for global oil trade and maritime security.
Oil tankers are incurring higher costs to reroute from the Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits, which are experiencing disruptions due to actions by Iran and Houthi rebels, forcing Saudi Arabia to find alternative export routes.
China is employing three key strategies to mitigate the impact of the Gulf energy shock, as maritime chokepoint chaos has spread from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
An opinion piece suggests that a Houthi closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait could allow Iran to expand its conflict with the US beyond the Persian Gulf. The commentary highlights the strategic implications of losing control over key maritime routes.
The price of oil has risen above the $95 mark for the first time in six weeks, driven by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Disruptions to global supply are threatened by US-Iran aggression in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi threats in Bab el-Mandeb.
Concerns are rising about a potential further blow to the global economy if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait were to be blocked, following previous disruptions like those in the Strait of Hormuz.
An analysis suggests that Iran's military strategy is targeting the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to expand the conflict, betting that each U.S. strike will increase Washington's burdens, a tactic described as Iran's 'oldest battlefield trick' against Trump.
Global gold and silver markets experienced a combined loss of $700 billion following Iran's threats regarding the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The report also considers the potential implications for Bitcoin's value.
President Trump has reversed his plan to impose a 20% toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for investment deals with Gulf states. This decision comes as new airstrikes reportedly hit Iran.
Global supply chains are experiencing unprecedented threats as vital maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb become geopolitical battlegrounds, leading to widespread economic disruptions.
Iran announced it has called off talks with the U.S. following Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza, with an IRGC-affiliated outlet claiming the freeze. However, Donald Trump stated he was not informed of any suspension of talks and that Israel would not send troops to Beirut.
The Green Sanvi, an LPG tanker destined for Mumbai, has successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the seventh India-bound vessel to do so amidst ongoing disruptions from the Iran war. New Delhi is actively working to secure its fuel supplies.
Two American fighter jets were reportedly shot down over Iran and the Gulf, with two pilots rescued and a third still missing. Both US and Iranian officials have confirmed the incident.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have escalated the conflict by launching their first rocket strike on Israel since the US-Israel war began, marking a significant development as the conflict enters its second month. Israeli media reported the rocket was likely intercepted.
EU officials accuse Russia of providing intelligence and drones to Iran for attacks on US targets, while Russia vehemently denies these allegations, specifically dismissing reports of delivering drones as 'media lies'.
Iran's allies like Hezbollah or Iraqi Shiite militias have already attacked the US and Israel, but the Houthis have not, and some experts say they may prefer not to intervene.
Ongoing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Black Sea are keeping tanker freight rates high, despite varying forecasts for the market's trajectory.
A Houthi attack on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait of the Red Sea resulted in the deaths of at least six crew members. This incident marks the first fatal Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the region.
Shipping traffic has reportedly collapsed in the strategically vital Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Eight international shipping associations have voiced opposition to the imposition of tolls in the region.
Yemen's Houthi rebel movement is reportedly preparing to introduce fees for commercial vessels transiting the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait, a move aligned with Iran that could further exacerbate global trade disruptions.
President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, with discussions primarily focused on Iran and regional security. This marked their first meeting since the start of the conflict with Iran.
HSBC has issued a warning that commodities face a squeeze as maritime chokepoint chaos spreads from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The bank notes that the situation is worsening, impacting global supply chains.
President Trump threatened Iran and Houthi rebels with 'major military punishment' if Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continue. He stated that Iran would be held responsible for these actions, which have caused oil prices to surge.
Two Chinese supertankers, carrying a combined 4 million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil, successfully exited the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, apparently circumventing the Houthis' blockade.
Iran has warned of a forceful 'eye for an eye' response if the United States attacks its infrastructure, following threats from President Trump. Iranian officials stated that any aggression would be met with a strong retaliation, including potential oil blockades.
Reports suggest the US may be unable to sustain a war with Iran, as Ansar Allah closes Bab el-Mandeb and rumors circulate about MBS's dethronement, raising concerns about a potential nuclear attack.
Il 13 luglio 2026, l’Arabia Saudita ha effettuato un attacco aereo contro l’aeroporto di Sana’a, capitale dello Yemen, con l’obiettivo di impedire l’atterraggio di un volo iraniano con a bordo la…
The United States has carried out fresh strikes against targets in Iran, prompting Iran to threaten the closure of additional critical maritime trade routes. This escalation raises concerns about the potential impact on international shipping and regional stability.
After obstructing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is now signaling its intent to use the Bab el-Mandeb Strait towards the Red Sea as a new point of pressure on shipping, potentially through its Houthi allies.
Israel has reportedly sent a military contingent to Somaliland after recognizing the region's independence, which is strategically located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
Iran's potential threats, particularly through its Houthi allies, against ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, represent a significant vulnerability for the global oil market, with potential to cause price spikes.
Experts warn that Somali terror groups could tighten their chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz by increasing piracy in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strait, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is already vulnerable due to Houthi terrorists.
Američki predsjednik Donald Trump izdao je novi ultimatum Iranu za otvaranje Hormuškog moreuza, a ono što je zanimljivo i ovaj se razlikuje od svih prethodnih ultimatuma koje je američki predsjednik…
Iran's suggestion of closing the Bab el-Mandeb strait could have significant consequences for global trade and lead to inflation, according to Middle East expert Alexander Atarodi. Such a closure would affect a wide range of goods and consumer prices worldwide.
Attacks in the Red Sea demonstrate that control over strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb no longer relies solely on military presence but on the capacity to disrupt, indicating that hybrid warfare is redefining global maritime power.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have carried out a second missile strike against Israel and pledged further attacks, intensifying concerns that the conflict could expand into the Red Sea region and further threaten global shipping through the critical Bab el-Mandeb strait, with the group's potential to disrupt global trade amid Strait of Hormuz chaos being highlighted.
The pro-Iranian Houthi organization in Yemen has declared its readiness to strike the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, also known as the 'Gate of Tears,' with the Suez Canal as a target, triggering a global energy alert, while Iran has also threatened to target this crucial shipping route if US forces land.
Tehran has issued a clear message of escalation, warning that a potential American attack on Kharg Island could lead to the destabilization of critical maritime routes, including the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Businessder-standardindex-hrTimes of India+3straits-timestaipei-timesphilstar5mo ago6 sources
Exporters have raised strong concerns that the conflict could disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, both of which are crucial maritime corridors.