US Navy turns back 3 more vessels on second day of Iran blockade Cargo vessels altering their identification signals have created a cat-and-mouse game for the US Navy east of the Strait of Hormuz, while most of Iran’s “ghost fleet” appears to remain in a holding pattern. Iran
As US blockades Hormuz, China urges restraint, rejects call to ditch Iran oil Beijing and Ankara called for calm as the US began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as regional diplomacy over the fragile ceasefire intensifies. Iran
From France to India: Who is Iran allowing through the Strait of Hormuz? Ships from Qatar turned around on Monday after sailing toward the Strait of Hormuz, while a growing number of countries have received permission to traverse the waterway. Iran
Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? As the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts around 20% of global oil supply, experts point to opportunities and challenges facing a renewed push to develop alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
In Cyprus, Israel's FM says Gaza maritime corridor deal is imminent A plan for a humanitarian maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza could take shape in a matter of weeks. Israel
Iran launches new naval unit as Red Sea attacks intensify Equipped with rocket-launching vessels, the additional force is introduced amid increasing encounters between Iranian and American vessels in the Persian Gulf. Iran
Iran slams US' planned maritime force in Red Sea The Iranian threats come amid repeated attacks against vessels in the area, mostly claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi group. Iran
Houthi missile hits Norwegian-flagged tanker in latest Red Sea attack Iran-backed rebels hit a Norwegian-owned chemical tanker with a cruise missile, but the ship had no clear connection to Israel, signaling the Houthis may be widening the aperture of their attacks. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria announce mechanism to clear mines in Black Sea The joint mechanism between Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania comes after the British government said Russia might use sea mines to deter Kyiv from exporting its grain. Turkey
US accuses Iran’s IRGC of harassing helicopter over the Gulf The first reported tense interaction between the US Navy and Iran's naval forces comes just days after Bahraini soldiers were killed in a drone attack attributed to Yemen's Houthi rebels, who receive arms from Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Pentagon expands role in Egypt war games as US weighs aid cuts Some 1,500 US military personnel are taking part in this year’s Bright Star exercise in Egypt as the Biden administration faces renewed pressure from Congress to withhold a portion of Cairo’s military aid over rampant human rights abuses. Egypt
Israel, Cyprus, Greece leaders enhance cooperation on gas infrastructure The leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus met in Nicosia to discuss strengthening the trilateral strategic alliance between the countries and exploring options for exporting Israeli natural gas via Cyprus to Europe. Israel
UAE president meets US national security adviser amid regional tensions National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s trip to Abu Dhabi comes amid US military maneuvers aimed at countering Iran in the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
Iran warns of more ship seizures in defiance of US Marines' Gulf deployment Tehran ratcheted up its rhetoric against Washington in the wake of fresh American reinforcement in the Persian Gulf, prompted by the Iranian "harassment" of international commercial ships there. Iran
Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf? The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states. Iran
Iran summons Russia's ambassador over UAE islands dispute On Monday, Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement calling for a “a peaceful solution” to the dispute over the Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands “in accordance with international law." Iran
