In-house briefings
Rolling updates and deeper context
Read the headline first, then trace the same event through shipping, oil, and geopolitical risk.
Where Is the Strait of Hormuz and Why Does Geography Matter So Much?
A compact explainer on the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and why a tiny passage can rattle the whole energy market.
- The strait is the only sea exit for most Gulf oil exporters.
- Inbound and outbound shipping lanes are narrow and highly choreographed.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Moves Oil and LNG Markets
The transmission mechanism from tanker traffic to Brent, freight, insurance, and refinery sentiment.
- More than 20% of global oil and LNG exports move through the strait.
- Risk premiums often move before physical supply is fully interrupted.
Shipping Risk Signals to Watch Around Hormuz
A working checklist for shipowners, traders, analysts, and anyone tracking how maritime stress shows up before a full-scale disruption.
- Watch for convoy talk, rerouting, and unusual pauses near the Gulf of Oman.
- Insurance and charter language often changes before traffic data does.
What a Hormuz Closure Scare Actually Means for Traders
Closure scares are usually about repricing risk, not instant zero-flow outcomes. Here is how to read the difference.
- Headline risk can outrun physical disruption by days or weeks.
- Price action often reflects insurance, timing, and confidence shocks.
Latest headlines
How China is gaining from Iran war by showing it is different from US
Beijing has leveraged its strong economic relationship with the US, Israel, Iran and the Gulf to keep its stakes safe.
Middle East crisis live: Trump extends ceasefire but blockade continues as second ship attacked in strait of Hormuz
Cargo ship attacked northwest of Iran after earlier reports that the IRGC had fired at a gunboat off the coast of Oman Trump announces ceasefire extension Why Trump’s erratic commentary is the real block to an Iran deal If you’re just joining us, here’s the main news of the day. It is 9.30am in Tehran, 9am in Jerusalem and Beirut, and 2am in Washington DC. Donald Trump unilaterally said he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while awaiting a “unified proposal” from Tehran , even as the US military maintains its blockade of Iranian ports. Trump made the announcement as ceasefire talks looked increasingly uncertain with a two-week truce set to expire on Wednesday . Both countries had said they were prepared to resume fighting if no deal is reached. Trump said he would “extend the ceasefire until such time as [Iran’s] proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other”. Trump later claimed in a Truth Social post that Iran is “collapsing financially” and was losing $500m every day that the strait of Hormuz is effectively closed . Iran has yet to decide whether to join the negotiations in Pakistan , a foreign ministry spokesman said earlier on Tuesday, and will only take part if Tehran believes the discussions would yield results. A container ship has reported being fired at by an IRGC gunboat, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said. The incident occurred 15 nautical miles north-east of Oman. The vessel sustained “heavy damage” to its bridge , the master of the ship said. All crew members were reported as safe. Shares were mixed in Asia as markets waited to see if the US and Iran may resume talks. Brent crude edged higher to $98.51 a barrel , while US benchmark crude fell 0.4% to $89.29 a barrel. One person was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli drone strike overnight on the outskirts of al-Jbour in Lebanon’s western Bekaa Valley , Lebanese state media reported. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on Friday. Since the war started, fighting has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran and more than 2,290 in Lebanon , the Associated Press reported. Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members throughout the region have been killed. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened to prevent oil production in the Middle East if the Islamic republic faced attacks launched from its Gulf neighbours’ territory. Continue reading...
US halts shipment of Iraq’s oil dollars in bid to curb Iran-linked groups
A plane carrying nearly $500m in US banknotes was blocked by the US Treasury, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Strait of Hormuz military talks to be led by UK and France – as it happened
This blog is now closed. See our latest full report here: Trump announces extension of Iran ceasefire until ‘discussion concluded’ Iran’s armed forces are ready to deliver an “immediate and decisive response” to any renewed hostile action by its adversaries, Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Tasnim news agency as having said. He said Tehran had the upper hand militarily, including in the management of the strait of Hormuz, and would not allow Donald Trump to “create false narratives over the situation on the ground.” Continue reading...
Condom prices could rise 30% due to Iran war, says world’s top producer Karex
Karex produces more than 5 billion condoms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as the NHS The world’s top condom producer, Malaysia’s Karex Bhd, plans to raise prices by 20% to 30% and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war, its chief executive has said. Karex is also seeing a surge in condom demand as rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual, CEO Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. Continue reading...
EU eyes options as Iran conflict threatens jet fuel shortages
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing concern in Europe, which relies heavily on imported jet fuel.
Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran
The US president's comments come amid uncertainty over whether Iran will attend peace talks in Pakistan this week.
Pakistan seeks to raise its global standing in push for Middle East peace
Islamabad has seized chance to act as mediator in Iran war and hopes to reap diplomatic and economic benefits As Pakistan works frantically to narrow differences between Iran and the US in its newfound role as global peacemaker, it is also seeking to recast its diplomatic standing and attract business. Pakistani officials, mediating between an unpredictable US president and hardliners in Tehran, were on Monday trying to coax both sides to put the conditions in place for a second round of talks in Islamabad this week, including easing the standoff in the strait of Hormuz. Pakistan was optimistic that the meeting would happen, viewing objections voiced by the Iranian side and Donald Trump’s threats as posturing for domestic audiences. Continue reading...
Why and how is US blockading Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz?
Donald Trump says that the US is blockading the Strait of Hormuz. What does this mean in practice?
Tehran will never cede control of Strait of Hormuz, senior Iranian politician tells BBC
Lyse Doucet speaks to Ebrahim Azizi, who says Iran "will decide the right of passage" through the crucial shipping route.