Escalating Iran‑US clashes threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Egypt and Saudi Arabia warned on 13 July that the rising Iran‑U.S. tension in the Strait of Hormuz could jeopardise global trade and energy security, urging all parties to keep maritime traffic safe under international law.

On 12 July Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the Strait’s closure after an unauthorised vessel was struck, and warned of retaliation against any aggression. The United States’ Central Command responded with a large‑scale strike on Iranian military sites in Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, using aircraft, ships and, for the first time, one‑way sea drones.

China’s foreign ministry called on the United States and Iran to de‑escalate and restore safe navigation, stressing the strait’s importance for global commerce. Diplomatic talks continued, with Omani and Iranian officials meeting to seek a technical and political resolution, while regional actors such as Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian drone and missile attacks.

The ongoing exchange of attacks keeps the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit chokepoint, precariously closed or partially operational, prompting concerns over worldwide energy markets and maritime safety.