Shipping companies are avoiding the US military-guided transit scheme in the Strait of Hormuz after a fresh wave of Iranian attacks on vessels raised safety fears, Reuters reported.
The shift reflects worsening risks in waters where Iran has mined the UN-established central shipping lane since the war began on Feb. 28, forcing tankers onto makeshift routes near the Iranian or Omani coast.
US forces intensified strikes deeper into Iran on Thursday and fired on a ship accused of breaching their naval blockade, while Iran answered with missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait before dawn.
Iran says recent US strikes have killed more than 35 people and wounded more than 300, as parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned Tehran was ready for full-scale war.
The Revolutionary Guard said Gulf oil and gas exports would be 'for everyone or for no one,' underscoring how the collapsed interim deal is pushing the region back toward wider war.
Has Iran's successful shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz permanently altered the future of global energy security?
With a new peace deal signed, will lingering mines and mistrust keep the world's most vital oil artery closed for months?
Can a US-Iran deal truly bring peace to Lebanon when key combatant Israel is not even a signatory to it?
2026 Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Geopolitical Escalation, Economic Fallout, and the Future of Global Energy
Overview
In July 2026, the United States, led by President Donald Trump, reimposed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, escalating an already tense crisis. This move highlights Washington's struggle to reopen the vital waterway, which remains disrupted and unstable. The ongoing challenges in ensuring free passage have led to rising prices, creating significant economic and political pressures, especially as President Trump and the Republican Party approach congressional elections. The heightened military stance and persistent instability in the Strait are driving global economic tremors, forcing industries and policymakers to adapt to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.