The escalation of clashes between the United States and Iran has brought uncertainty back to one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints, heightening fears over the consequences this could have for the global economy.
At the center of concern is once again the Strait of Hormuz, after the United States continued for a second consecutive day its bombardment of targets in Iran, while Tehran responded with missile attacks against American bases in the Gulf region.
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Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of Iran’s negotiators, said that “when you strike, you should also expect to be struck.” He also underlined that shipping through Hormuz would resume only “according to the rules set by Iran.”
Despite this, ships continued to pass through the Strait during the day yesterday as well, although, according to analysts in the maritime sector, the situation remains “highly unstable.”
Bridget Diakun of Lloyd’s List Intelligence said that some vessels are passing “in the dark,” switching off the systems that transmit their position while navigating this strategically important sea corridor.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said maritime traffic is continuing at lower levels, using both the southern corridor near the coast of Oman and the northern route that passes close to waters under Iranian control.
According to UKMTO, the current pace of shipping shows that maritime transport companies are acting cautiously, even though crossings carried out under the escort of US forces are reported to have continued without interruption this week.
