Strait of Hormuz
28 stories from Middle East Affairs.
U.S. analysis: Iran willing to absorb costs of prolonged conflict
A New York Times report citing U.S. officials says Iran's leadership believes it can sustain a prolonged confrontation while Iranian civilians bear economic hardship.
Three experts assess path to US-Iran deal as conflict deepens
The conflict between the US and Iran appears to be hardening, with little prospect for near-term agreement despite US pressure campaigns combining military strikes and economic sanctions.
Iranian media reports explosions near Kharg Island oil terminal
Iranian state media reported hearing multiple explosions near Kharg Island, the country's main oil export terminal, as military tensions with the United States intensified.
US and Iran resume strikes after monthlong lull
A monthlong pause in hostilities between Iran and the United States ended this week with renewed military strikes in the Persian Gulf region.
US Navy escorts tankers through Hormuz as mine-clearing effort accelerates
The US Navy is escorting tankers carrying roughly 7 million barrels through the Strait of Hormuz as it clears mines from the shipping channel.
US forces attack Iranian tanker near Kharg Island
US forces attacked an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, Iran's main crude export terminal, according to state news reports.
Trump warns of Iran strike as regional tensions escalate
Tensions are mounting across the Middle East as the United States and its allies pursue military and diplomatic responses to recent Iranian actions, while the Pentagon investigates leaks about the conflict.
Trump threatens imminent strike on Iranian military site
President Trump said the United States may soon strike an Iranian military site, as administration officials signaled economic and military pressure on Tehran.
Oil surges past $90 as US and Iran escalate military strikes
Oil prices rose sharply after US forces struck Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran responded with missile attacks on US military bases in Jordan.
Bessent's claim that Hormuz will lose value faces skeptical analysts
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted the Strait of Hormuz would become "worthless" within two years as new pipelines divert energy exports, but energy analysts say the critical waterway will retain strategic importance for container shipping and liquefied natural gas.
Trump calls Iran conflict 'small potatoes' as US plays down war
President Trump described an ongoing six-month conflict with Iran as minor for the United States, part of an administration effort to reduce its political impact before November's midterm elections.
Iran turns to shadow networks and cryptocurrencies to weather Trump sanctions
Iran is relying on shadow business networks and cryptocurrencies to circumvent the Trump administration's new sanctions on oil, banking and technology sectors.
Trump names policy sparks frustration at US geological survey
Staff at the US Geological Survey expressed frustration after President Trump ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America and mused about renaming the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. sanctions Turkish bank over Iran ties; South Korea considers Hormuz role
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned a Turkish bank for alleged ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while South Korea said it was considering contributing to security operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says oil flow through Strait of Hormuz returning to pre-war levels
Trump said oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to pre-war levels as the U.S. military escorts cargo ships and repels Iranian attacks in the vital waterway.
Russian crude surges as China turns away from Middle East suppliers
Russian ESPO crude has surged to a $10-a-barrel premium over Brent as Chinese refineries turn to the Pacific-shipped oil amid disrupted Middle Eastern supplies.
Global food prices hit highest level since late 2022
Global food prices rose in August to their highest level since November 2022, driven by adverse weather, supply disruptions linked to regional conflict, and concerns about grain exports through the Black Sea.
South Korea considers role in Strait of Hormuz security
South Korea said Friday it is considering a contribution to securing the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating U.S.-Iran clashes, as Tehran launched new strikes on American interests and vowed retaliation for a wedding airstrike.
US election calendar constrains response to Iran conflict
The Trump administration is attempting to contain fighting with Iran until after November midterms, relying on economic pressure rather than military escalation while public opposition to the conflict grows.
Netanyahu says toppling Iran government "within reach" as U.S., Iran trade strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that overthrowing Iran's government is "within reach," as the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes this week.
Conflict in Iran drives fertilizer prices higher, straining farming economics
Fertilizer prices have spiked as conflict in Iran disrupts ammonia production and shipping, forcing farmers to absorb higher input costs and driving up food prices.
Brent surges 7.6% on week as US-Iran clashes deepen
Brent crude rose 7.6 per cent this week as military clashes between the US and Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting fuel prices globally and deepening concerns about inflation.
Fitch affirms Qatar's AA rating, expects LNG exports to recover by mid-2025
Fitch Ratings affirmed Qatar's AA credit rating and removed the country from its negative watch list, projecting liquefied natural gas exports will recover to pre-war levels by the second half of 2025.
Iran attacks Kuwait as fighting with U.S. intensifies
Iran launched attacks on Kuwait on Thursday, part of an intensifying exchange of strikes with the United States that included American bombing of a wedding in Iran.
Trump says Hormuz remains open after mine clearing
President Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open as U.S. forces clear mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Trump says Iran threat to shipping has faded
President Trump said Iran's response to U.S. actions is restrained, as CENTCOM's commander announced the clearing of sea mines from shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Burnham pressed on paying for defence buildup
Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced questions about how he will finance a major increase in UK defence spending during his first Prime Minister's Questions in parliament.
Iran launches missile and drone strikes on U.S. positions across Middle East
Iran launched strikes on U.S. bases and interests in Jordan, Iraq and Bahrain, while a Saudi oil tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz with two Philippine crew members killed, in an escalation following American air strikes that killed at least 11 people in southern Iran.
