About 20 million barrels per day of oil and refined products could be affected if shipping operations are disrupted along the Strait of Hormuz amid the continued tensions between Israel and Iran, according to analysts.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow water channel where oil tankers carry large volumes of oil and refined products to different destinations from Gulf producers as well as from Iran and Iraq.
On Saturday the "closure" of the Strait was being seriously reviewed by Tehran, Iranian media reported, citing statements by Esmail Kosari, a member of the Tehran parliament's security commission. Iran in the past has threatened to close the strait for maritime traffic in retaliation for western pressure. Any closure could impact trade and oil supplies flowing to global markets.
“The Strait of Hormuz remains the critical chokepoint,” Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, said.
“Around 12 million barrels per day of crude oil pass through the strait, over 80 per cent of it bound for Asia. Including refined products, the total volume can reach up to 20 million barrels per day.”
While Saudi Arabia and the UAE have spare pipeline capacity to bypass the strait, it is limited, he said.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and the UAE’s Habshan-Fujairah pipeline together can handle around half of the flow, he added.
“The strait is jointly controlled with Oman, and past tactics have included seizing or harassing tankers by jamming their GPS signals to draw them into Iranian waters. This increases the risks of navigating the route.”
Last year, Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized a container ship with links to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions across the Middle East rose on Friday after Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran, killing senior military officials and hitting key nuclear sites.
Iran also launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israel into Saturday morning, killing at least three people and wounding dozens, raising concerns of a wider Middle East war.
Oil prices have surged in response to rise in tensions in the Middle East.
Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the gauge that tracks US crude, had jumped more than 13 per cent before settling at around 8 per cent higher on Friday.
“While Iran has threatened to block the strait before, their current weakened position makes this uncertain. There’s still a risk from Iran’s proxies like Houthi rebels and Hamas, who may retaliate,” Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group, said.
Last year, Houthi rebels have carried out attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, disrupting maritime traffic and causing oil prices to rise on supplies worries.
Many shipping companies were forced to reroute and take a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa to transport cargo to Europe and other destinations.
Houthis said they launched attacks on ships, in solidarity with Hamas fighting against Israel in Gaza.
Shipping companies urged to take extra measures
“The situation is very tense, and we have reports that more shipowners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf,” Jakob P Larsen, chief safety and security officer with shipping association Bimco, told The National in a statement.
If the US is perceived to be involved in attacks, “the risk of escalation increases significantly,” which will impact freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
“Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the strait,” he added.
Bimco has advised shipowners to follow developments closely and implement ship defence measures as tensions continued to rise between Israel and Iran.
India's directorate general of shipping also urged Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz "to exercise due caution while operating in or navigating through the region," according to an advisory on its website.
Dubai maritime and shipping company Gulf Navigation is closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region and the safety of “our crew, vessels, and cargo is our top priority,” it said in a statement to The National.
“In response to elevated regional tensions, we have implemented enhanced risk mitigation measures across our operations,” the company said.
These include, route and voyage planning in coordination with local authorities, continuous communication with regional and international maritime security centers, increased vigilance on board vessels, including elevated security protocols and crew preparedness training,
It is also coordinating with flag states and port authorities to ensure compliance and safe passage.
Oil at $100 per barrel
There is an elevated risk premium in the market that could push oil prices higher, analysts said.
“While a full blockade remains unlikely, the possibility, even if small, helps explain the elevated risk premium in the market today,” Mr Leon said.
Iman Nasseri, managing director of Middle East at FGE Nexant, expects oil to jump above $100 per barrel if the strait is closed.
"It seems like $70 to $80 (per barrel) would be the range for the short term if there is no closure of strait, if the strait gets closed, then we're looking at $90 and even above $100," Mr Nasseri told The National.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD5
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On racial profiling at airports
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett
British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
MATCH INFO
Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE
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