Strait Hormuz

• An Iranian army spokesperson announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States agrees to accept the Iranian legal system. • The statement, reported by the Iranian Students' News Agency, establishes a direct link between the reopening of the critical waterway and U.S. diplomatic concessions. • This escalation is significant because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital global chokepoint for oil shipments, meaning a prolonged closure could trigger severe global economic instability.

• Economic disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to have a delayed impact, with the full effects potentially not manifesting until the second half of 2026. • The situation involves critical intersections of energy, trade, and food security within the Middle East and North Africa region. • This delay is significant as it suggests a prolonged period of instability that could eventually destabilize global markets and supply chains.

• The U.S. has expanded military strikes deep into Iran, while Tehran has responded with attacks on neighboring Gulf states. • In Khuzestan Province, official Valiollah Hayati reported that strikes caused structural damage to homes and shattered windows in the vicinity of Ahvaz. • Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz an "unbreakable red line," signaling a high risk of further escalation in a critical global shipping lane.

Diesel tops $5 a gallon as regular gas reaches almost $4, nearly a dollar and a quarter more than a year agoMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe average price of diesel fuel in the US has increased again to more than $5 a gallon, according to the AAA, and the average price of gas is almost $4, returning to their highs before the June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.It’s a reminder to consumers and truckers of the costs of the Iran war and the unpredictable rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran. A year ago today, the AAA says, the average price for a gallon of diesel was $3.72, almost a dollar and a quarter less than it is now. Continue reading...

US disables unladen oil tanker using Hellfire missiles in strait of Hormuz amid concerns strikes could spiral into open conflictThe US has fired on an oil tanker attempting to reach Kharg Island in the strait of Hormuz as part of its blockade on Iranian ports, as Tehran came under attack for the first time in this latest round of strikes.The US said on Thursday morning it had disabled an unladen oil tanker, during a fifth day of strikes, firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack after it ignored multiple warnings. Continue reading...

• The Delhi High Court conducted India's first Covid-era virtual hearing via WhatsApp, presided over by Justice Talwant Singh. • The proceeding involved a high-stakes anti-suit injunctive action regarding an emergency arbitration case based in Singapore. • This shift toward virtual hearings marks a significant adaptation of the Indian judicial system to maintain legal operations during pandemic restrictions.

• The U.S. military has disabled a ship allegedly attempting to sail to Kharg Island, marking the first such action since President Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports. • This escalation occurs amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and a broader feud between the United States and Iran. • Vice President JD Vance criticized "hawks" during an interview with Joe Rogan, claiming that opponents of diplomacy have undermined the Trump administration's negotiation efforts.

Five months of U-turns and false boasts leave Donald Trump in worse position than when he startedDonald Trump has taken the war with Iran into a new, murkier phase as the two sides move further and further from the vague memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 17 June.And as during the opening phase of the conflict, the US leader’s objectives and methods are clouded in confusion, daily U-turns and boasts that within hours are revealed to be false. Continue reading...

• Maine Senate candidates have publicly condemned a fatal shooting involving ICE agents, bringing increased political scrutiny to GOP Senator Susan Collins during her current re-election campaign. • Republicans are pursuing a third partisan reconciliation package to fund priorities such as the war in Iran and the "Save AMERICA Act" election overhaul bill. • Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed uncertainty regarding his support for Todd Blanche's appointment as attorney general ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing.

US president says he will knock out all Iran’s power plants and bridges next week in bid to force Tehran to agree to a dealMiddle East crisis – live updatesPresident Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” Trump said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.” Continue reading...

• On July 14, 2026, Donald Trump withdrew a proposal to implement a transit fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. • The decision follows discussions regarding the operational mechanics of other critical global waterways, including the Suez and Panama Canals. • This move is significant as it aims to reduce economic tension and avoid potential disruptions to global shipping and energy markets.

• President Trump has reversed his plan to impose tolls on ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. completes a third night of attacks on Iran. • In other diplomatic developments, Trump met with Iraq's prime minister, while Supreme Court justices provided testimony to Congress. • The House is scheduled to vote today on the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

• The U.S. has launched additional military strikes against Iran amid escalating tensions in the region. • President Trump reversed a previous decision to impose a 20% fee on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for trade and investment deals with Gulf states. • Qatar's foreign ministry issued a statement on Monday calling for de-escalation and urging both parties to pursue diplomacy to avoid the consequences of "unjustified attacks."

• President Trump has reversed his threat to impose a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. • The planned levy will be replaced by new trade and investment agreements with several Gulf states as the US prepares to resume its blockade of Iranian ports. • In a separate diplomatic move, Trump expressed public support for al-Zaidi to serve as Iraq's new Prime Minister to end a months-long political deadlock.

• The U.S. and Iran have reignited military conflict over the Strait of Hormuz following a series of exchanged attacks. • Approximately 180 members of Iran’s Parliament declared a preliminary cease-fire deal void, accusing the U.S. of violating a memorandum of understanding signed last month. • In response to the escalating tensions, the United States prepared to restart a blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

• Oil prices surged 2% to a four-week high following the United States' decision to reinstate a naval blockade on Iran. • The price spike is driven by escalating military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy shipments. • This development raises significant international concerns regarding the stability and security of global oil supplies.

• Major stock indexes closed lower on July 13, 2026, driven by a decline in memory chipmaker shares, including SK Hynix. • Oil prices surged following President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. is reinstating a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. • The market volatility coincides with the start of second-quarter earnings reports from several major national banks this week.

Just before the latest strikes Trump said Iran would be hit ‘very hard’; UAE says Iranian cruise missiles hit two oil tankers in strait, killing a crew member and wounding eightUS launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockadeUS Central Command said a little over an hour ago that it had finished the military’s latest wave of strikes against Iran.It said in a statement posted on X:During the five-hour mission, U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping Continue reading...

• President Trump informed Congress that conflict with Iran has resumed, specifically regarding the control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. • Trump vowed that the U.S. would "probably run" the waterway and intends to charge fees for its use to maintain American control. • The situation remains volatile as dueling attacks continue between the two nations over the critical shipping lane.

• Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away at the age of 71. • The United States has launched a series of retaliatory military strikes against Iran, escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. • In sports, Wimbledon has concluded with the crowning of new champions, while VAR controversy continues to impact the World Cup quarterfinals.

• The United States and Iran both asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday following a weekend of widespread attacks across the Middle East. • These escalating military tensions and territorial disputes further threaten ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the regional war. • The situation coincides with Senator Mitch McConnell breaking weeks of silence regarding his health status.

Tehran says latest US attacks have ‘rendered futile’ diplomatic efforts of last few months. Plus, hit song in Australia prompts speculation about use of AIGood morning.The US military has launched a fresh wave of attacks against Iran amid the escalating standoff over the strait of Hormuz.What has Iran said about the latest hostilities? Iran condemned the latest wave of attacks, its foreign ministry saying they had “rendered futile all efforts of the past few months to reduce tension and establish peace in the west Asian region”. The ministry added: “The US regime has also caused the return of insecurity in the strait of Hormuz and disruption of international commercial shipping.”Is the strait open? Iran said on Sunday that passage through the waterway was not possible because of what it called recent illegal US military movements in the region. The US said its forces were positioned to safeguard freedom of navigation, and reiterated guidance that, despite a severe security threat, an “expanded” southern route near Oman coastline was available for two-way traffic.How will Graham be replaced in the senate? South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, will appoint a new senator to serve out the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends on 3 January. Whoever is appointed will likely have a leg up in a special primary election on August 11 to get on the November ballot. The candidate would still run against the Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who gained significant support in the red state, but who still faces an uphill challenge. Continue reading...

Plans specify tolls must not be compulsory as US officials urge Iran to make public guarantee of safe passage for shippingEurope is studying proposals that could allow navigation fees to be charged in the strait of Hormuz, provided the payments are not compulsory and have the support of the UN agency that regulates maritime transport.Britain’s deputy prime minister, David Lammy, said imposing mandatory tolls would be disastrous. But some cabinet colleagues said they recognised that payments for specific navigational services were permissible in many natural waterways, including the strait of Malacca and the English Channel. Continue reading...

Tehran says vessel using unapproved route in strait was struck, drawing strikes from US forces to ‘degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners’Iran’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday it had closed the strait of Hormuz after a vessel travelled on an unapproved route and was struck, warning that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a “severe response”.“A vessel that had jeopardised maritime security by switching off its systems was struck and ⁠brought to a halt,” the navy of Iran’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in ​a statement, without giving any details about the ship. Continue reading...

• The U.S. military launched strikes against Iran on Wednesday following Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. • President Donald Trump announced the operation during a NATO summit in Turkey, where he previously threatened to target Iran's desalination and electric plants. • The escalation highlights growing tensions over international law and the protection of civilian infrastructure in the region.

• Renewed attacks on shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have unsettled global energy markets as of Wednesday. • The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN maritime agency, has issued an urgent call for "maximum restraint and de-escalation" to prevent further conflict. • These incidents are critical because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil transit, meaning instability here can trigger immediate spikes in energy prices.

• A military crisis erupted in the Strait of Hormuz starting February 28, 2026, involving a series of ship attacks and military strikes. • The conflict has been characterized by a volatile cycle of diplomatic developments, ceasefires, and strategic market fluctuations. • This crisis is significant due to the Strait's role as a critical global oil transit point, impacting international energy security and economic stability.

Brent crude benchmark rose to more than $78 a barrel after attacks, its sharpest increase since ceasefire beganOil markets have recorded the sharpest price rise in nearly two months after a series of attacks on fossil fuel tankers near the strait of Hormuz led US president Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire deal with Iran is “over”.Brent, the global crude benchmark rose by 5% on Wednesday to more than $78 a barrel, the highest price since the US and Iran agreed the ceasefire while negotiating an end to the war last month. Continue reading...