Escalating maritime crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea

As of mid-July 2026, tensions between the United States and Iran have severely disrupted global shipping. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a series of strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including command centers and naval assets, while Iranian forces attacked several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including an oil tanker of Greek interest. Iranian officials and state media described these incidents as accidents involving ships ignoring warnings or following US-backed routes. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted, with daily transits reaching historic lows. Additionally, reports indicate that Iran has requested that Houthi rebels in Yemen prepare to target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea should the US strike Iranian energy infrastructure. Diplomats are currently discussing a potential ten-day ceasefire proposal to de-escalate the situation, although military operations continue on both sides.