Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN. The proposal is part of a broader tanker policy Tehran is developing to regulate ship traffic through the strait, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. As per the official, Iran is exploring options that would permit select tankers to transit the waterway under strict financial conditions. One option under discussion would require oil shipments to be sold in Chinese yuan rather than the US dollar. Most global oil transactions are conducted in US dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Only a small portion of sanctioned Russian oil is currently traded in alternative currencies such as the rouble or yuan. China has been pushing for years to expand the global use of its currency in energy markets, including efforts to purchase oil in yuan from major producers such as Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have added volatility to global energy markets.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-totally-obliterate-military-targets-in-iran-s-crown-jewel-kharg-island-trump-claims-in-new-truth-social-post-1773444263312">US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post</a>&nbsp;Concerns about potential disruptions along the vital maritime corridor, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, have pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since July 2022, shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have further rattled energy markets.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed</a><h2>Oil prices continue to swing</h2>Global oil prices dipped on Friday but were still on track for weekly gains. Brent crude futures for May delivery fell $1.22, or 1.2%, to $99.24 per barrel at 10:53 GMT. Despite the decline, the benchmark remained set for a weekly gain of around 7.5%. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery dropped $1.81, or 1.9%, to $93.92 per barrel, though it was still heading for an increase of nearly 4% over the week.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iran may allow ships through Strait of Hormuz — but with a catch. Deets inside

Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN. The proposal is part of a broader tanker policy Tehran is developing to regulate ship traffic through the strait, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. As per the official, Iran is exploring options that would permit select tankers to transit the waterway under strict financial conditions. One option under discussion would require oil shipments to be sold in Chinese yuan rather than the US dollar. Most global oil transactions are conducted in US dollars. Only a small portion of sanctioned Russian oil is currently traded in alternative currencies such as the rouble or yuan. China has been pushing for years to expand the global use of its currency in energy markets, including efforts to purchase oil in yuan from major producers such as Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have added volatility to global energy markets. Also Read: US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post Concerns about potential disruptions along the vital maritime corridor, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, have pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since July 2022, shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have further rattled energy markets. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed Oil prices continue to swing Global oil prices dipped on Friday but were still on track for weekly gains. Brent crude futures for May delivery fell $1.22, or 1.2%, to $99.24 per barrel at 10:53 GMT. Despite the decline, the benchmark remained set for a weekly gain of around 7.5%. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery dropped $1.81, or 1.9%, to $93.92 per barrel, though it was still heading for an increase of nearly 4% over the week. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

According to reports, Iran may allow limited tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if oil is traded in yuan, a move that could challenge dollar dominance and impact global energy markets

The United States is preparing to deploy additional Marines to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the region continue to escalate.


US-Iran War: US Deploys More Marines To Hormuz Amid Attacks on Ships

France and Italy have reportedly opened diplomatic channels with Iran to ensure the safe passage of commercial and strategic vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint in global oil trade. This move comes amid rising regional tensions and concerns over maritime security. Stay updated on diplomatic efforts, shipping safety, and the broader geopolitical impact in the Middle East.


Report: France, Italy Seek to Secure Passage of Ships Through Hormuz 

President Donald Trump warned in an interview aired on Friday that the United States would strike Iran “very hard over the ⁠next week”. “We are going to be hitting them very hard over the next week,” he said in the interview ⁠with Fox News Radio’s ‘The Brian Kilmeade Show’. “We have already damaged them so badly it would take years for them to ever rebuild,” he added.&nbsp;Replying to a question on what message he would send to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Trump said, “Well, they’ve been doing a lot of talking, so he’s going to have to put up. We’ll have to see because we are decimating them.”&nbsp;“We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out many of their drones. We knocked out a lot of the manufacturing areas where they manufacture the missiles and now the drones.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-us-close-to-critical-minerals-deal-announcement-likely-soon-ambassador-sergio-gor-1773409906075">‘India, US close to critical minerals deal, announcement likely soon:’ Ambassador Sergio Gor</a><h2>‘He’s damaged, but probably alive in some form’</h2>&nbsp;Speaking about Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who is yet to be seen in public, Trump said, “I think he’s damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form.”&nbsp;When asked when he will know the war is over, Trump replied, “When I feel it, okay? I feel it in my bones”&nbsp;On being asked when the Iranian government will fall, Trump said, “I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons. I think it’s a very big hurdle... It’ll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uavs-sighted-between-rawalpindi-and-islamabad-shot-down-pak-denies-airspace-closure-reports-1773419261615">UAVs sighted between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, shot down; Pak denies airspace closure reports</a>&nbsp;Trump also said that the US would escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz if needed.“We would do it if we needed to. But, you know, hopefully things are going to go very well. We’re going to see what happens.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Putin might be helping them a little bit’</h2>&nbsp;Trump also said that he suspects Russian leader Vladimir Putin was aiding Iran in the war against the United States and Israel.“I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess. And he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-tanker-with-indian-captain-went-dark-to-cross-high-risk-strait-of-hormuz-reach-mumbai-1773315721972">Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai</a>&nbsp;Several US media outlets have reported that Russia provided targeting information to Iran for attacking US forces in the ongoing conflict.&nbsp;The US president also said that Washington is not currently focused on an operation to take Iran’s uranium but said it could become an option later.“Not focused on it, but at some point we might be,” Trump said in the interview with Fox News Radio.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump said that he suspects Russian leader Vladimir Putin was aiding Iran in the war against the United States and Israel. Several US media outlets have reported that Russia provided targeting information to Iran for attacking US forces in the ongoing conflict.

President Donald Trump warned in an interview aired on Friday that the United States would strike Iran “very hard over the ⁠next week”. “We are going to be hitting them very hard over the next week,” he said in the interview ⁠with Fox News Radio’s ‘The Brian Kilmeade Show’. “We have already damaged them so badly it would take years for them to ever rebuild,” he added. Replying to a question on what message he would send to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Trump said, “Well, they’ve been doing a lot of talking, so he’s going to have to put up. We’ll have to see because we are decimating them.” “We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out many of their drones. We knocked out a lot of the manufacturing areas where they manufacture the missiles and now the drones.” “We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.” Also Read: ‘India, US close to critical minerals deal, announcement likely soon:’ Ambassador Sergio Gor ‘He’s damaged, but probably alive in some form’ Speaking about Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who is yet to be seen in public, Trump said, “I think he’s damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form.” When asked when he will know the war is over, Trump replied, “When I feel it, okay? I feel it in my bones” On being asked when the Iranian government will fall, Trump said, “I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons. I think it’s a very big hurdle... It’ll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately.” Also Read: UAVs sighted between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, shot down; Pak denies airspace closure reports Trump also said that the US would escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz if needed. “We would do it if we needed to. But, you know, hopefully things are going to go very well. We’re going to see what happens.” ‘Putin might be helping them a little bit’ Trump also said that he suspects Russian leader Vladimir Putin was aiding Iran in the war against the United States and Israel. “I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess. And he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said. Also Read: Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai Several US media outlets have reported that Russia provided targeting information to Iran for attacking US forces in the ongoing conflict. The US president also said that Washington is not currently focused on an operation to take Iran’s uranium but said it could become an option later. “Not focused on it, but at some point we might be,” Trump said in the interview with Fox News Radio.

President Donald Trump said that he suspects Russian leader Vladimir Putin was aiding Iran in the war against the United States and Israel. Several US media outlets have reported that Russia provided targeting information to Iran for attacking US forces in the ongoing conflict.

‘Going to be hitting them very hard over the next week’: Trump warns Iran

7 reasons Trump’s Iran war is not over — From Strait of Hormuz to nuclear fears

US president Trump has claimed victory over Iran, but oil shocks, nuclear fears, political tensions and military risks complicate the narrative of success

Leaders of the Group of Seven have urged Donald Trump to ensure the reopening and security of the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise in the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The vital maritime chokepoint carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making its security crucial for global energy markets. G7 leaders stressed the need to safeguard commercial shipping and maintain the free flow of energy amid growing fears of disruption to international oil trade.


US-Iran War: G7 Asks Trump to Ensure Safe Passage Through Hormuz 

US-Iran War: G7 Tells Trump to Ensure Opening of Strait of Hormuz 

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Thursday denied that Iranian forces are laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and said Tehran has allowed ships from some countries to cross the key waterway. Days after the US said it had struck Iranian vessels laying mines in the shipping channel, the deputy foreign minister said some countries had talked to Tehran about their ships crossing the strait and were allowed to do so.President Donald Trump had said that the US forces had struck 28 Iranian minelaying vessels in the waterway.“Not at all. This is not true,” he said when asked about reports of Iran laying mines in the strategic waterway.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-tanker-with-indian-captain-went-dark-to-cross-high-risk-strait-of-hormuz-reach-mumbai-1773315721972">Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai</a>&nbsp;“Some countries have already talked to us about passing the Strait, and we have cooperated with them,” Takht-Ravanchi told AFP news agency.However, the countries that joined the aggression against Iran should not benefit from safe passage, he added.“As far as Iran is concerned, we feel that those countries that joined the aggression should not benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.&nbsp;He also said that Iran wants to ensure that a war will not be imposed on it again in the future.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-speaks-to-pezeshkian-conveys-concerns-over-conflict-escalation-loss-of-lives-and-safety-of-indians-1773338727189">PM Modi speaks to Iran’s President Pezeshkian, conveys concerns over conflict escalation, loss of lives and safety of Indians</a>&nbsp;“We want to see that war is not going to be imposed again on Iran,” says Takht-Ravanchi. “When the war started last June, after 12 days there was so-called cessation of hostilities… but after eight or nine months, they regrouped and they did it again.”&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed during the war with the US and Israel.

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi  said that Iran wants to ensure that a war will not be imposed on it again in the future. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed during Iran’s ongoing war with the US and Israel.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Thursday denied that Iranian forces are laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and said Tehran has allowed ships from some countries to cross the key waterway. Days after the US said it had struck Iranian vessels laying mines in the shipping channel, the deputy foreign minister said some countries had talked to Tehran about their ships crossing the strait and were allowed to do so. President Donald Trump had said that the US forces had struck 28 Iranian minelaying vessels in the waterway. “Not at all. This is not true,” he said when asked about reports of Iran laying mines in the strategic waterway. Also Read: Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai “Some countries have already talked to us about passing the Strait, and we have cooperated with them,” Takht-Ravanchi told AFP news agency. However, the countries that joined the aggression against Iran should not benefit from safe passage, he added. “As far as Iran is concerned, we feel that those countries that joined the aggression should not benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. He also said that Iran wants to ensure that a war will not be imposed on it again in the future. Also Read: PM Modi speaks to Iran’s President Pezeshkian, conveys concerns over conflict escalation, loss of lives and safety of Indians “We want to see that war is not going to be imposed again on Iran,” says Takht-Ravanchi. “When the war started last June, after 12 days there was so-called cessation of hostilities… but after eight or nine months, they regrouped and they did it again.” The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed during the war with the US and Israel.

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi &nbsp;said that Iran wants to ensure that a war will not be imposed on it again in the future. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed during Iran’s ongoing war with the US and Israel.

‘Iran not laying mines, allowed ships from some countries to cross Strait of Hormuz’: Deputy FM

Earlier on Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined three conditions for ending the conflict with the US and Israel, stating that any resolution must recognise Iran’s legitimate rights and ensure the country is not subjected to future attacks.

Earlier on Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined three conditions for ending the conflict with the US and Israel, stating that any resolution must recognise Iran’s legitimate rights and ensure the country is not subjected to future attacks.

Strait of Hormuz, US bases & revenge: 7 takeaways from Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first message

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a defiant first statement after his appointment, saying that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as leverage against the United States and warning that attacks linked to regional tensions could continue. The statement was read on state television by a news anchor on Thursday (March 12), with Khamenei not appearing on camera. In the message, he defended Iran’s actions, accused the United States of using regional bases to control neighbouring countries, and urged people in the region to oppose what he described as aggression against Iran.&nbsp;Khamenei said Iran had resisted efforts to divide the country and insisted that pressure on the US must continue. “We have thwarted the efforts to partition the country. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz must continue. The enemy's bases in the region are intended to control its countries.” He said Iran maintains that it seeks friendly relations with neighbouring states but would continue targeting US military installations located within them.&nbsp;“We believe in friendship with neighboring countries, but we are compelled to continue targeting the American bases within them. We have been attacked from the enemy's bases in neighboring countries, and we are compelled to respond.” Khamenei also claimed Iran had deliberately limited its strikes to military facilities rather than the countries hosting them. “As we have previously warned, we targeted those bases only without attacking those countries.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-strait-of-hormuz-should-be-continued-as-a-tool-to-pressure-enemy-iran-s-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-s-first-statement-1773321492482">'Strait of Hormuz closure should be continued as a tool to pressure enemy': Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement</a>&nbsp;He warned that Iran would seek revenge for attacks against its citizens and referenced what he called the “Minab school massacre.” “We will not hesitate to take revenge for the crimes committed by the enemy, especially the Minab school massacre.” In the statement, Khamenei called on countries in the region to shut down US military bases and urged the Iranian public to remain mobilised. “We advise the countries of the region to close the American bases. The people must be present in force in all arenas to thwart all the enemies' schemes.”&nbsp;He also warned that if the conflict escalates further, new fronts could emerge. “If the war situation continues, other fronts will be activated in which the enemy has no experience.” Khamenei said Iran shares borders with 15 countries and reiterated that Tehran seeks constructive relations with them, while also urging regional governments to clarify their stance on the conflict. “We have borders with 15 countries, and we have always desired and still desire to establish constructive relations with them. The countries of the region must determine their position regarding the aggressors and the killers of our people.”&nbsp;He added that Iran would seek compensation for damages and threatened retaliation if it was denied. “We will obtain compensation from the enemy in any case; if they refuse, we will destroy their property to the same extent.” Khamenei also criticised US claims about promoting peace in the region. “The countries of the region must have realized that America's claim of establishing peace was nothing but a lie.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-sends-mixed-signals-on-ending-iran-war-1773326664201/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-sends-mixed-signals-on-ending-iran-war-1773326664201/embed</a>&nbsp;He praised groups aligned with what Iran calls the “resistance front,” including forces in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. “I sincerely thank the fighters of the resistance front. The cooperation of the components of this front with one another shortens the path to getting rid of the zionist sedition.” “As we have seen, brave and faithful Yemen has not stopped defending the oppressed people of Gaza, Hezbollah, the self-sacrificing, despite all obstacles, came to help the Islamic Republic, and the resistance in Iraq is also courageously following this path.”&nbsp;Toward the end of his statement, Khamenei spoke about personal losses in his family, expressing sympathy for families of those killed in the conflict. “My deep sympathy with the families of the martyrs stems from a shared experience I had with them. Alongside my father, whose loss has become a general affliction, I said farewell to my loyal and dear wife.” “I lost my sacrificing sister who devoted herself to serving her parents and attained her reward, along with her young child and her husband.”&nbsp;He finished by invoking faith and promising that those killed would be avenged. “What makes patience in the face of calamities possible, and even easy, is the trust in Allah’s definitive promise of a great reward for those who are patient.”“I assure everyone that we will not overlook avenging the blood of your martyrs.”&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge for ‘crimes’ against Iran, warns of more attacks on US bases

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a defiant first statement after his appointment, saying that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as leverage against the United States and warning that attacks linked to regional tensions could continue. The statement was read on state television by a news anchor on Thursday (March 12), with Khamenei not appearing on camera. In the message, he defended Iran’s actions, accused the United States of using regional bases to control neighbouring countries, and urged people in the region to oppose what he described as aggression against Iran. Khamenei said Iran had resisted efforts to divide the country and insisted that pressure on the US must continue. “We have thwarted the efforts to partition the country. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz must continue. The enemy's bases in the region are intended to control its countries.” He said Iran maintains that it seeks friendly relations with neighbouring states but would continue targeting US military installations located within them. “We believe in friendship with neighboring countries, but we are compelled to continue targeting the American bases within them. We have been attacked from the enemy's bases in neighboring countries, and we are compelled to respond.” Khamenei also claimed Iran had deliberately limited its strikes to military facilities rather than the countries hosting them. “As we have previously warned, we targeted those bases only without attacking those countries.” Also Read: 'Strait of Hormuz closure should be continued as a tool to pressure enemy': Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement He warned that Iran would seek revenge for attacks against its citizens and referenced what he called the “Minab school massacre.” “We will not hesitate to take revenge for the crimes committed by the enemy, especially the Minab school massacre.” In the statement, Khamenei called on countries in the region to shut down US military bases and urged the Iranian public to remain mobilised. “We advise the countries of the region to close the American bases. The people must be present in force in all arenas to thwart all the enemies' schemes.” He also warned that if the conflict escalates further, new fronts could emerge. “If the war situation continues, other fronts will be activated in which the enemy has no experience.” Khamenei said Iran shares borders with 15 countries and reiterated that Tehran seeks constructive relations with them, while also urging regional governments to clarify their stance on the conflict. “We have borders with 15 countries, and we have always desired and still desire to establish constructive relations with them. The countries of the region must determine their position regarding the aggressors and the killers of our people.” He added that Iran would seek compensation for damages and threatened retaliation if it was denied. “We will obtain compensation from the enemy in any case; if they refuse, we will destroy their property to the same extent.” Khamenei also criticised US claims about promoting peace in the region. “The countries of the region must have realized that America's claim of establishing peace was nothing but a lie.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-president-sends-mixed-signals-on-ending-iran-war-1773326664201/embed He praised groups aligned with what Iran calls the “resistance front,” including forces in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. “I sincerely thank the fighters of the resistance front. The cooperation of the components of this front with one another shortens the path to getting rid of the zionist sedition.” “As we have seen, brave and faithful Yemen has not stopped defending the oppressed people of Gaza, Hezbollah, the self-sacrificing, despite all obstacles, came to help the Islamic Republic, and the resistance in Iraq is also courageously following this path.” Toward the end of his statement, Khamenei spoke about personal losses in his family, expressing sympathy for families of those killed in the conflict. “My deep sympathy with the families of the martyrs stems from a shared experience I had with them. Alongside my father, whose loss has become a general affliction, I said farewell to my loyal and dear wife.” “I lost my sacrificing sister who devoted herself to serving her parents and attained her reward, along with her young child and her husband.” He finished by invoking faith and promising that those killed would be avenged. “What makes patience in the face of calamities possible, and even easy, is the trust in Allah’s definitive promise of a great reward for those who are patient.” “I assure everyone that we will not overlook avenging the blood of your martyrs.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says the Strait of Hormuz must stay closed and warns attacks on US-linked bases in the region will continue

The United States Department of Energy Secretary, has ruled out the possibility of the United States Navy escorting commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz despite rising tensions in the region. The decision comes amid growing security concerns for global shipping routes during the ongoing US-Iran conflict.


US Energy Secretary Rules Out Navy Escorts in Strait of Hormuz 

As the US–Iran war 2026 escalates, Iran’s strategy of threatening or disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has become a major challenge for Washington. The narrow waterway carries nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply, making it one of the most critical energy chokepoints globally.


US-Iran War: Does Trump Have a  Counter for Iran's Hormuz Strategy?

The escalating US-Israel war with Iran is now disrupting global fertiliser trade as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz choke one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. Around one-third of global seaborne fertiliser trade passes through the narrow waterway, and disruptions are already pushing prices higher.


US-Israel War With Iran: Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Global Fertiliser Trade

Amid the escalating US-Iran war, Iranian officials say the country is prepared for a prolonged conflict that could severely damage the global economy. A senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that a long war of attrition with the United States and Israel could “destroy” both the American and world economies.


US-Iran War: Iran Says Ready for Long War That May Destroy World Economy 

In a big development, Iran has allowed India's crude vessel to pass through Strait of Hormuz and the tanker has reached Mumbai Port. This came a day after Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held detailed conversation with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its briefing on Thursday (Mar 12) that in the last conversation between the two leaders the safety of shipping was discussed. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, after the US and Israel launched pre-emptive attack on the Islamic Republic on Feb 28. It has declared that any vessel passing through the passage would require Iran's prior approval, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard stating that it would "not allow a single drop of oil to leave the region to the US" through the strait. Brent Crude is trading around $100.25 per barrel as of Mar 12. The closure of Strait of Hormuz has raised global fears for energy and oil needs as it is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global crude oil and natural gas shipments transit. The latest development may be termed as India's Iran diplomacy paying off amid heightened tensions in the region.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-four-weeks-to-war-is-very-complete-to-not-won-enough-trump-contradicts-himself-about-endgame-of-iran-war-khamenei-dead-netanyahu-israel-1773117026231">From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself about endgame of Iran war</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260312/image-1773292492767.png"></figure>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-goal-in-iran-war-is-not-regime-change-destroying-nuclear-weapons-program-senator-makes-big-claims-1773222254709">US goal in Iran war is NOT regime change, destroying nuclear weapons program: Senator makes BIG claims</a>&nbsp;The crude vessel that reached the Mumbai port was Liberian flagged tanker captained by an Indian. It became the first India-destined vessel to safely transit the waterway, where maritime traffic has all but halted since the US and Israel attacked Iran. Liberia-flagged tanker ship was named 'Shenlong' and was captained by an Indian and was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port Ras Tanura.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Liberian-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax arrives at Mumbai port carrying Saudi crude, becoming the first India-bound shipment to navigate the volatile Strait of Hormuz since the war in West Asia. The tanker was captained by an Indian mariner. Video: ANI <a href="https://t.co/4HIzV98jzM">pic.twitter.com/4HIzV98jzM</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2032005772025217520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said that two ships that had ignored Iran's warnings were targeted in the Strait. "Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked from the crews of the vessels Express Rome and Mayuree Naree, who today, trusting in empty promises, ignored the warnings and intended to cross the Strait, but were caught. Any vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran," the Iranian general said in a post on X.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260312/image-1773294749966.png"></figure>&nbsp;On March 5, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. Modifying its order on March 10, IRGC said that it will grant those countries “unrestricted passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory.&nbsp;Moreover, Iranian sources denied any transit being allowed though Strait of Hormuz to every Indian flagged ships.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Iran sources deny any transit being allowed though Strait of Hormuz, when asked if Indian flagged ships are allowed&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/2031972033362608283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Iran has allowed Indian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The move aims to protect India’s energy imports amid raging war in West Asia

In a big development, Iran has allowed India's crude vessel to pass through Strait of Hormuz and the tanker has reached Mumbai Port. This came a day after Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held detailed conversation with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its briefing on Thursday (Mar 12) that in the last conversation between the two leaders the safety of shipping was discussed. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, after the US and Israel launched pre-emptive attack on the Islamic Republic on Feb 28. It has declared that any vessel passing through the passage would require Iran's prior approval, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard stating that it would "not allow a single drop of oil to leave the region to the US" through the strait. Brent Crude is trading around $100.25 per barrel as of Mar 12. The closure of Strait of Hormuz has raised global fears for energy and oil needs as it is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global crude oil and natural gas shipments transit. The latest development may be termed as India's Iran diplomacy paying off amid heightened tensions in the region. Also Read: From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself about endgame of Iran war Also Read: US goal in Iran war is NOT regime change, destroying nuclear weapons program: Senator makes BIG claims The crude vessel that reached the Mumbai port was Liberian flagged tanker captained by an Indian. It became the first India-destined vessel to safely transit the waterway, where maritime traffic has all but halted since the US and Israel attacked Iran. Liberia-flagged tanker ship was named 'Shenlong' and was captained by an Indian and was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port Ras Tanura.

Iran has allowed Indian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after diplomatic talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The move aims to protect India’s energy imports amid raging war in West Asia

India's crude vessel reaches Mumbai port after Iran's nod, MEA says 'shipping safety was discussed' in call with Iran FM, Jaishankar

A fire broke out aboard an oil tanker in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf near the coast of Basra, according to initial reports from Iraqi media. The tanker reportedly caught fire close to the port area of the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Some regional media outlets suggested the vessel may have been targeted in an attack, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire.&nbsp;Iraq’s port authorities said at least 20 crew members were rescued after the tanker came under what they described as an unspecified attack in Iraq’s territorial waters. Farhan Al-Fartousi of Iraq’s General Company for Ports told the national news agency INA that Iraqi port personnel rescued the crew of a foreign oil tanker following the incident, but he did not provide further details about the nature of the attack.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-passes-resolution-urging-iran-to-stop-gulf-attacks-china-russia-abstain-1773267627332">UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Iraqi tanker, this video is real <a href="https://t.co/h83FGcmjSt">pic.twitter.com/h83FGcmjSt</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2031856121208525170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump vows great safety for oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz</h2>US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (March 11) assured “great safety” for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, even as Tehran tightened its grip on the crucial shipping route during the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran. "I think you're going to see great safety, and it's going to be very, very quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked how he was going to ensure security in the crucial waterway for the global oil trade.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-did-trump-miscalculate-iran-s-response-senator-says-no-strait-of-hormuz-plan-wion-1773265502288/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-did-trump-miscalculate-iran-s-response-senator-says-no-strait-of-hormuz-plan-wion-1773265502288/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf as Middle East war escalates; 20 crew members rescued

A fire broke out aboard an oil tanker in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf near the coast of Basra, according to initial reports from Iraqi media. The tanker reportedly caught fire close to the port area of the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Some regional media outlets suggested the vessel may have been targeted in an attack, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire. Iraq’s port authorities said at least 20 crew members were rescued after the tanker came under what they described as an unspecified attack in Iraq’s territorial waters. Farhan Al-Fartousi of Iraq’s General Company for Ports told the national news agency INA that Iraqi port personnel rescued the crew of a foreign oil tanker following the incident, but he did not provide further details about the nature of the attack. Also Read: UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain

Fire broke out on an oil tanker near Basra in Iraq’s territorial waters. At least 20 crew members were rescued as officials investigate reports of a possible attack

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening (March 11) condemned the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree, which was sailing toward Kandla Port through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the bulk carrier was struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin”, causing a fire and damaging the engine room. The ship’s Thai-listed operator, Precious Shipping, confirmed the incident in a statement. "Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room," Precious Shipping was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it had fired projectiles at the vessel. The Guards confirmed that they targeted the Thai-flagged bulk carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. In its statement, the MEA said, “India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seem to be increasing.” The ministry also reiterated that targeting commercial vessels and putting civilian crew members at risk must be avoided.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-warns-of-possible-iranian-drone-threat-to-california-from-offshore-vessels-1773260018833">FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels</a><h2>Thai ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz</h2>The Thai-registered vessel Mayuree Naree was struck by Iranian projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Kandla Port. The ship had departed from Khalifa Port and was moving through the narrow shipping corridor, considered the world’s most important oil chokepoint, when the projectile hit.&nbsp;The Royal Thai Navy reported that thick smoke was seen rising from the vessel’s hull and superstructure after the strike. Mayuree Naree is a 178-metre bulk carrier with a displacement of around 30,000 tonnes. Officials said that 20 crew members were rescued after abandoning the vessel, while search operations continued for three missing crew members. “The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation,” the Thai navy said in a statement.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

'India deplores the fact': MEA condemns attack on Thai ship bound for Gujarat in Strait of Hormuz

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening (March 11) condemned the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree, which was sailing toward Kandla Port through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the bulk carrier was struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin”, causing a fire and damaging the engine room. The ship’s Thai-listed operator, Precious Shipping, confirmed the incident in a statement. "Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room," Precious Shipping was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it had fired projectiles at the vessel. The Guards confirmed that they targeted the Thai-flagged bulk carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. In its statement, the MEA said, “India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seem to be increasing.” The ministry also reiterated that targeting commercial vessels and putting civilian crew members at risk must be avoided. Also Read: FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels Thai ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz The Thai-registered vessel Mayuree Naree was struck by Iranian projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Kandla Port. The ship had departed from Khalifa Port and was moving through the narrow shipping corridor, considered the world’s most important oil chokepoint, when the projectile hit. The Royal Thai Navy reported that thick smoke was seen rising from the vessel’s hull and superstructure after the strike. Mayuree Naree is a 178-metre bulk carrier with a displacement of around 30,000 tonnes. Officials said that 20 crew members were rescued after abandoning the vessel, while search operations continued for three missing crew members. “The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation,” the Thai navy said in a statement. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

India condemns attack on Thai ship Mayuree Naree in Strait of Hormuz after Iranian strike; 20 crew rescued while three remain missing

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the war started, underscoring Tehran’s control over the strategic waterway that it has effectively shut to most other regional oil producers. While Gulf Arab producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq are cutting output and searching for alternative routes to bypass the strait, Iran has continued exporting crude largely without disruption. Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler shows Tehran maintaining and even slightly increasing shipments despite the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.&nbsp;Since the war started on February 28, seven tankers have loaded Iranian oil, according to Kpler. At least two of the latest loadings originated inside the Persian Gulf. Over the past six days, tankers have taken on an average of 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude per day, higher than the roughly 2 million barrels per day exported in February. Although Iran’s weekly exports fluctuate, the recent rise suggests that its shipments are moving largely unhindered. It also indicates that China continues to purchase Iranian crude, providing a crucial financial lifeline to Tehran as it faces intense military pressure.&nbsp;The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it would attack vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli airstrikes triggered the conflict. The threats have discouraged many commercial ships from using the passage, which links the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles roughly a third of the world’s oil trade. Iran has also launched drones and missiles at Gulf Arab oil infrastructure and warned it could set ships ablaze if they attempted to pass through the strait.&nbsp;The escalating crisis has fueled fears that a worst-case scenario for global energy markets could be unfolding, potentially removing millions of barrels of oil from the market each day. Oil prices swung sharply in recent sessions, surging close to $120 a barrel on Monday before falling below $80 on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the war would end “very soon.” Analysts at JPMorgan estimate that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for two weeks, global oil supplies could fall by about 3.8 million barrels per day, more than 3% of worldwide production.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iea-to-release-record-400-million-barrels-of-oil-as-middle-east-war-disrupts-markets-1773251043388">IEA to release record 400 million barrels of oil as Middle East war disrupts markets</a>&nbsp;Much of the Iranian oil currently moving across or toward the strait appears to be headed for China aboard vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet, according to Kpler. These older tankers, often sanctioned by the United States, are used by Iran and Russia to transport crude covertly. “Almost all ships crossing the Strait are linked to Iran or China,” said Christopher Long, head of intelligence at UK maritime-security firm Neptune P2P Group. “We are advising all shippers not to cross.”&nbsp;Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude-oil analysis at Kpler, said normal shipping traffic would likely resume only under limited conditions. “Only military escorts, a US-Israeli cease-fire or an Iranian capitulation would prompt shippers to resume transits,” Falakshahi said. He added that exports would likely restart gradually and “often while still dark.”&nbsp;Last week, Trump announced plans to provide naval escorts for ships traveling through the strait, though such protection has not yet materialized. Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Navy, warned against any attempt to escort vessels through the waterway. “Any passage of the US fleet and its allies will be halted by the net of Iranian missiles and suicide drones,” he said in a post on X. Shipping data suggests that only a small number of vessels have crossed the strait since the war began. Around 15 ships have transited the passage, most of them shadow-fleet tankers carrying Iranian crude to China and India, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.&nbsp;Many of the ships are small Chinese tankers that attempt to signal their friendly status to Iranian forces while transiting the strait. “We are a Chinese ship. We are coming through; we are friendly,” the Chinese ships transmit in English to the Revolutionary Guard via loudspeakers and shortwave radio. The messages can be monitored by other vessels and were heard by The Wall Street Journal. Kpler said one tanker, Skywave, loaded oil last week from Kharg Island, the main Iranian export hub in the Persian Gulf’s northwest.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed</a>&nbsp;The vessel is owned by an Indian shell company that was sanctioned by the United States last year for allegedly funding Iran’s armed forces through billions of dollars in crude allocations. As of Tuesday, the ship, sailing under a reportedly false Comoros flag, was approaching the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic. Another vessel, Cume, which is bound for China, is owned by a Dubai-based entity sanctioned by the US and sails under a reportedly false Guyana flag, according to the European Union database Equasis. It loaded 2 million barrels of Iranian crude on Feb. 19, crossed the strait last week, and is now in the Gulf of Oman, Kpler data shows.&nbsp;A third tanker, Ping Shun, owned by a Shandong-based company that typically exports to China, loaded 600,000 barrels from Kharg Island and is also in the Gulf of Oman. Despite their willingness to transit the strait, shadow-fleet tankers still face significant risks. At least two such vessels have already been hit by Iran since the conflict began. Meanwhile, many global shipping companies are struggling with disruptions.&nbsp;Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has about 10 vessels trapped inside the Persian Gulf. The company says it could take one to ten days to resume normal operations after a cease-fire is reached. “We won’t put our colleagues in harm’s way,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Journal.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

With Hormuz in its grip, Iran ships more oil even as war halts others

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the war started, underscoring Tehran’s control over the strategic waterway that it has effectively shut to most other regional oil producers. While Gulf Arab producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq are cutting output and searching for alternative routes to bypass the strait, Iran has continued exporting crude largely without disruption. Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler shows Tehran maintaining and even slightly increasing shipments despite the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Since the war started on February 28, seven tankers have loaded Iranian oil, according to Kpler. At least two of the latest loadings originated inside the Persian Gulf. Over the past six days, tankers have taken on an average of 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude per day, higher than the roughly 2 million barrels per day exported in February. Although Iran’s weekly exports fluctuate, the recent rise suggests that its shipments are moving largely unhindered. It also indicates that China continues to purchase Iranian crude, providing a crucial financial lifeline to Tehran as it faces intense military pressure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it would attack vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli airstrikes triggered the conflict. The threats have discouraged many commercial ships from using the passage, which links the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles roughly a third of the world’s oil trade. Iran has also launched drones and missiles at Gulf Arab oil infrastructure and warned it could set ships ablaze if they attempted to pass through the strait. The escalating crisis has fueled fears that a worst-case scenario for global energy markets could be unfolding, potentially removing millions of barrels of oil from the market each day. Oil prices swung sharply in recent sessions, surging close to $120 a barrel on Monday before falling below $80 on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the war would end “very soon.” Analysts at JPMorgan estimate that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for two weeks, global oil supplies could fall by about 3.8 million barrels per day, more than 3% of worldwide production. Also Read: IEA to release record 400 million barrels of oil as Middle East war disrupts markets Much of the Iranian oil currently moving across or toward the strait appears to be headed for China aboard vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet, according to Kpler. These older tankers, often sanctioned by the United States, are used by Iran and Russia to transport crude covertly. “Almost all ships crossing the Strait are linked to Iran or China,” said Christopher Long, head of intelligence at UK maritime-security firm Neptune P2P Group. “We are advising all shippers not to cross.” Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude-oil analysis at Kpler, said normal shipping traffic would likely resume only under limited conditions. “Only military escorts, a US-Israeli cease-fire or an Iranian capitulation would prompt shippers to resume transits,” Falakshahi said. He added that exports would likely restart gradually and “often while still dark.” Last week, Trump announced plans to provide naval escorts for ships traveling through the strait, though such protection has not yet materialized. Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Navy, warned against any attempt to escort vessels through the waterway. “Any passage of the US fleet and its allies will be halted by the net of Iranian missiles and suicide drones,” he said in a post on X. Shipping data suggests that only a small number of vessels have crossed the strait since the war began. Around 15 ships have transited the passage, most of them shadow-fleet tankers carrying Iranian crude to China and India, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Many of the ships are small Chinese tankers that attempt to signal their friendly status to Iranian forces while transiting the strait. “We are a Chinese ship. We are coming through; we are friendly,” the Chinese ships transmit in English to the Revolutionary Guard via loudspeakers and shortwave radio. The messages can be monitored by other vessels and were heard by The Wall Street Journal. Kpler said one tanker, Skywave, loaded oil last week from Kharg Island, the main Iranian export hub in the Persian Gulf’s northwest. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed The vessel is owned by an Indian shell company that was sanctioned by the United States last year for allegedly funding Iran’s armed forces through billions of dollars in crude allocations. As of Tuesday, the ship, sailing under a reportedly false Comoros flag, was approaching the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic. Another vessel, Cume, which is bound for China, is owned by a Dubai-based entity sanctioned by the US and sails under a reportedly false Guyana flag, according to the European Union database Equasis. It loaded 2 million barrels of Iranian crude on Feb. 19, crossed the strait last week, and is now in the Gulf of Oman, Kpler data shows. A third tanker, Ping Shun, owned by a Shandong-based company that typically exports to China, loaded 600,000 barrels from Kharg Island and is also in the Gulf of Oman. Despite their willingness to transit the strait, shadow-fleet tankers still face significant risks. At least two such vessels have already been hit by Iran since the conflict began. Meanwhile, many global shipping companies are struggling with disruptions. Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has about 10 vessels trapped inside the Persian Gulf. The company says it could take one to ten days to resume normal operations after a cease-fire is reached. “We won’t put our colleagues in harm’s way,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Journal. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz during the war, while Gulf producers halt shipments and global shippers avoid the strategic waterway

As the West Asia war escalates, a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck by missiles in the volatile Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (March 11). According to a report in the Bangkok Post, which cited the Royal Thai Navy, 20 crew members were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman. But there is no information on the three crew members, who were on board.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mayuree Naree, the bulk carrier owned by the Thai company Precious Shipping Pcl, had left Khalifa Port in the UAE and was moving towards Kandla Port in India. It was struck by missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PHOTO | A Thai-flagged cargo ship was struck by two projectiles while sailing in United Arab Emirates waters near the Strait of Hormuz. According to Thailand&#39;s Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn initial information showed the vessel had… <a href="https://t.co/oF3GMKq4Pg">pic.twitter.com/oF3GMKq4Pg</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2031733175962001538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to news agency PTI, Thailand's acting deputy prime minister and transport minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, shared initial information that showed the vessel had left a UAE port and was approximately 20 kilometres offshore when the attack took place.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-hezbollah-fires-100-rockets-toward-northern-israel-as-tel-aviv-carries-out-strike-in-lebanon-1773261979579">WATCH | Hezbollah fires 100 rockets toward northern Israel as Tel Aviv carries out strike in Lebanon</a>&nbsp;Amid the oil crisis, India, as an Associate Member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and an active participant in international energy cooperation, welcomes the IEA’s decision to release emergency oil stocks amid the prevailing supply disruptions. The Government of India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in global energy markets, particularly in the Middle East.&nbsp;India stands ready to take appropriate measures, as necessary, to support global market stability in alignment with the efforts of the International Energy Agency.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

A Thai-flagged cargo ship was struck by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz today. Emergency teams rescued 20 crew members.

As the West Asia war escalates, a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck by missiles in the volatile Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (March 11). According to a report in the Bangkok Post, which cited the Royal Thai Navy, 20 crew members were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman. But there is no information on the three crew members, who were on board. Mayuree Naree, the bulk carrier owned by the Thai company Precious Shipping Pcl, had left Khalifa Port in the UAE and was moving towards Kandla Port in India. It was struck by missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A Thai-flagged cargo ship was struck by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz today. Emergency teams rescued 20 crew members.

Thai-flagged cargo ship struck by missiles in Strait of Hormuz, 20 rescued

The United States military says it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The action targeted vessels believed to be capable of deploying naval mines in the strategic waterway.

The U.S. military said the operation was aimed at protecting commercial shipping and preventing threats to maritime traffic passing through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, carrying a major share of global oil and LNG shipments.

The strikes come amid ongoing conflict with Iran that has disrupted shipping and raised concerns over global energy supplies.

US Military Attacks Iran's Minelaying Boats in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran against planting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Trump said any attempt to disrupt oil flows through the waterway would trigger severe consequences from the United States.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with nearly 20% of global oil shipments passing through the narrow corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

US-Iran War: Trump Warns Iran Against Mining in Strait of Hormuz

The UK maritime security agency on Wednesday (Mar 11) said that a cargo ship, presumably of UK origin, was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the strike, a fire broke out on the vessel, forcing the crew to evacuate. Hours later, a container vessel was hit off the coast of the UAE. Earlier today, another container ship was also hit off the coast of the United Arab Emirates by an unidentified projectile. This comes as the war widens in the Gulf, with Iran targeting vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.“It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz, which has resulted in a fire onboard,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement.The British maritime security agency also said a container vessel was damaged after being hit by an unknown projectile."The Master of a container vessel has reported that the vessel has sustained damage from a suspected but unknown projectile, the UKMTO said. It added that the extent of the damage was not yet known, but all the crew members were safe.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said that they have “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz. At least 10 oil tankers have been struck, targeted ot reported attacks in or near the strait between March 1 and March 10, according to data from the UK Maritime Trade Organisation, the International Maritime Organization, and Iranian authorities.Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 5 said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. On March 10, IRGC said that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily.&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

A cargo ship, believed to be of UK origin, was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire onboard. The crew was forced to evacuate.

The UK maritime security agency on Wednesday (Mar 11) said that a cargo ship, presumably of UK origin, was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the strike, a fire broke out on the vessel, forcing the crew to evacuate. Hours later, a container vessel was hit off the coast of the UAE. Earlier today, another container ship was also hit off the coast of the United Arab Emirates by an unidentified projectile. This comes as the war widens in the Gulf, with Iran targeting vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz, which has resulted in a fire onboard,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement. The British maritime security agency also said a container vessel was damaged after being hit by an unknown projectile. "The Master of a container vessel has reported that the vessel has sustained damage from a suspected but unknown projectile, the UKMTO said. It added that the extent of the damage was not yet known, but all the crew members were safe. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said that they have “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz. At least 10 oil tankers have been struck, targeted ot reported attacks in or near the strait between March 1 and March 10, according to data from the UK Maritime Trade Organisation, the International Maritime Organization, and Iranian authorities. Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 5 said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. On March 10, IRGC said that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices. On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

A cargo ship, believed to be of UK origin, was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire onboard. The crew was forced to evacuate.

UK says cargo ship set ablaze, 2 container vessel struck by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

The Iran–Israel conflict of June 2025 lasted 12 days, ending after American B-2 bombers targeted alleged Iranian nuclear sites. The new US-Israel joint strikes on Iran started exactly 12 days ago, but there is no sign of it ending as fast as last time. Neither has the Islamic Republic regime fallen, nor is Iran waving the white flag, having declared a pause to all negotiations. Regime change and the capitulation of Iran were the supposed aims of the war. The US now seems to have changed the goalposts, suggesting that regime change was not the aim. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will not let the regime be, with his officials suggesting that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is a ‘legitimate’ target for assassination. If the US and Israel were thinking it would be an ‘in and out’ war, they are being proven wrong. Direct war was not the only card Iran had. It has used a number of tactics that could force the international community to pressure the US and Israel to end the war.<h2>16 ways in which Iran is still staying in the war</h2>The following are the key ways in which Iran’s war strategy is helping it not to lose. This goes beyond actual ground or air offensives, with Tehran incorporating regional expansion of the conflict and the choking of global energy supplies for strategic edge over adversaries.1. Iran attacked specific targets in regional countries, making them indirect ‘party to the conflict’: The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq were attacked with Iranian drones and missiles, bringing both their defence systems and economies under stress. This is putting pressure on the Gulf nations to bring back normalcy fast through diplomatic means as their defence systems slowly wear out.2. Iranian attacks targeted both oil and gas sites and military bases of the Gulf nations: The Iranian calculation was not off the mark, as the cascading effect is now felt in everything from oil and gas prices to food and living costs in the region and all the way to Europe and Asia.3. Iran made tactical use of the Strait of Hormuz: It had only threatened to block the global fuel trade chokepoint without much action, and yet shocks are being felt in fuel prices because big container carriers have partially or fully suspended operations through the waterway.4. Iran is making the best use of the asymmetry of cost in this war: Its thousands of cheap Shahed drones and missiles are slowly exhausting million-dollar defence systems of the Gulf nations.5. The Iranian regime has made sure that there are no large-scale street protests : The ostensible trigger point for the joint US–Israel decapitation strikes was the massive nationwide protests against the regime. But all of a sudden, the political opposition that many thought would replace the Islamic Republic is nowhere in sight.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-iran-us-israel-war-news-live-west-asia-crisis-uae-qatar-nahrain-gulf-trump-netanyahu-khamenei-mojtaba-hezbollah-hamas-china-russia-india-middle-east-1773196724144">US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | Four injured after drones fall near Dubai airport</a>6. The Islamic Republic system is still intact : It stands in spite of the decapitation strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Day One of the war. A new Supreme Leader has now been named, and secondary leadership is still running the country.7. &nbsp;‘All systems running’ for Iran in spite of airstrikes: Iran's military bases, airports, oil installations, warships, nuclear and ballistic missile sites were targeted. But the Iranian regime continues to operate, and post propaganda on social media. It still has the on-and-off switch of the Iranian internet, which has gone dark for several days for everyone except the regime.8. Iran's military doctrine is designed to function despite leadership losses and disruption: Iran’s ‘mosaic defence’ has decentralised command and control structures. Local units of IRGC are capable of continued fighting even if senior leadership or communications are destroyed. The expectations was that the commanders would be killed and infrastructure bombed, but combat operations must continue.&nbsp;9. Terrain makes a decisive military victory against Iran extremely difficult: From a war analysis point of view, Iran is ‘blessed by geography’. It is a vast country with mountainous terrain, underground facilities, and dispersed military infrastructure. Missile sites, command bunkers, and storage depots are spread across a large territory rather than concentrated in a few locations, many of them underground, making it hard to destroy only through strikes from above. 10. Ground invasion of Iran is yet to happen: Large-scale ground operations would be needed to completely destroy Iran's nuclear, missile and drone sites. The US and Israel appear reluctant, given the troop commitments and potential casualties.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-iran-us-israel-war-news-live-west-asia-crisis-uae-qatar-nahrain-gulf-trump-netanyahu-khamenei-mojtaba-hezbollah-hamas-china-russia-india-middle-east-1773196724144">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a>&nbsp;11. Iran missile and drone arsenal can confront long-term pressure: Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic missiles and possibly tens of thousands of drones. Having one of the largest missile forces in the Middle East helps Iran strike intermittently for extended periods, preventing the conflict from ending quickly.12. Iranian regime is accustomed to operating under extreme sanctions and isolation: The US, the West and Israel used sanctions for decades against Iran as a ‘war by other means’. This meant Iran always functioned under economic siege conditions with its smuggling networks, informal trade channels, and state control mechanisms to cushion shocks. 13. War fatigue and political constraints in the attacking countries: There are domestic political limits on long wars, in a world that is worn out by continuing wars since the start of the new decade. Iran is deliberately making this conflict prolonged and costly for the other parties, even those who are not direct belligerents.14. Ambiguity around Iran’s nuclear capability is a deterrent: Iran insists it does not have a nuclear weapon, but not many are sure. Can it quickly develop and use a nuclear weapon? That doubt raises the stakes for adversaries, as a desperate Iran could accelerate nuclear weaponisation.15. Attackers not sure of the final desired outcome of the war: A military campaign can succeed only when objectives are defined. What do Israel and US want to achieve in Iran — territorial control, destruction of nuclear and missile capabilities, destruction of armed forces, or regime change? Their lack of clarity on this is helping Iran.&nbsp; 16. Survival itself is strategic victory for Iran: For all practical purposes, not losing fast can itself amount to winning for Iran. Iran is facing a test of survival against much stronger adversaries. The burden of expectations of victory is on US and Israel, not Iran.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-oil-markets-and-security-at-risk-did-us-iran-conflict-expose-economic-fault-lines-across-the-middle-east-1773151045233">'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?</a><h2>Global realities are helping Iran not to lose, though not winning the war</h2>For much of the global community, including India, the Islamic Republic is still the government. The Indian external affairs minister, for instance, held at least three phone calls with his Iranian counterpart. Other global players like China and Russia consider it the legitimate government. Iranian ethnic factions like the Kurds are not having much of an impact in the actual war. European nations are yet to fully rally behind either the US or Israel and more worried about continued fuel supply from the region. The US-led military alliance NATO has not invoked the ‘one for all, all for one’ clause in its Article 5, which would have seen them enter the war militarily. Even the US is being forced to acknowledge the need for global energy flows to continue, exemplified in the de-sanctioning of Russian oil supplies to India. Globalisation is helping Iran in odd ways, as fuel supply disruptions caused by the war would affect economies, including that of the US.Iran, which is accused of raising proxies like Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah, does not seem to need them to stay in the war. Most of them are not even fully active in the war to support Iran, yet.<h2>Domestic concerns of Trump and Netanyahu may have led to the war. Now they don't know how to get out</h2>For the past three decades, Netanyahu has been talking about Iran being ‘very near to building a nuclear bomb’. But there is no sign of Iran detonating a bomb. Iran has threatened to target Israel’s nuclear facility. Many observers believe Israel probably has nuclear weapons, or at least the capability to develop them. Iran went ahead and threatened the main Dimona nuclear site, a message pretty similar to the gangsters’ phrase: ‘we know where you live’.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed</a>The war happened at pivotal points for the political survival of both Trump and Netanyahu. Trump was facing the fallout from the Epstein files, which could affect the Republican Party’s prospects in this year's US midterm elections. If his party loses its majority in the US Congress, he would become a ‘lame-duck’ president for the next two years, opening a Pandora’s box of further legal scrutiny of his actions. He is yet to get congressional approval for the war. He needs something to show as having been achieved through the Iran operation. He could go deeper into Iran, including even boots on the ground to ‘secure uranium’ and prevent Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb. Even that could probably not lead to total regime change in Iran.Netanyahu is facing corruption cases, and Trump even publicly pleaded with the Israeli president to pardon him, which is yet to happen. He is currently leading a minority government, essentially clinging to power thanks to the war situation. In fact, the last elections did not give him a clear majority, but he managed to stay in office largely because most of his tenure has been about the war on Hamas and now on Iran. He is also facing the next general elections, scheduled this year. The elections could make both Trump and Netanyahu less powerful. But Iran’s own specific form of elections has no such burdens.Ultimately, both the US and Israel are realising that this war is not going to get over in 12 days, like the last one did.

As the war enters 12th day, Iran is not losing. Geography, decentralised military, missile and drone capabilities, resilience under sanctions, and political constraints on its adversaries are helping Tehran turn mere survival into a strategic advantage

The Iran–Israel conflict of June 2025 lasted 12 days, ending after American B-2 bombers targeted alleged Iranian nuclear sites. The new US-Israel joint strikes on Iran started exactly 12 days ago, but there is no sign of it ending as fast as last time. Neither has the Islamic Republic regime fallen, nor is Iran waving the white flag, having declared a pause to all negotiations. Regime change and the capitulation of Iran were the supposed aims of the war. The US now seems to have changed the goalposts, suggesting that regime change was not the aim. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will not let the regime be, with his officials suggesting that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is a ‘legitimate’ target for assassination. If the US and Israel were thinking it would be an ‘in and out’ war, they are being proven wrong. Direct war was not the only card Iran had. It has used a number of tactics that could force the international community to pressure the US and Israel to end the war. 16 ways in which Iran is still staying in the war The following are the key ways in which Iran’s war strategy is helping it not to lose. This goes beyond actual ground or air offensives, with Tehran incorporating regional expansion of the conflict and the choking of global energy supplies for strategic edge over adversaries. 1. Iran attacked specific targets in regional countries, making them indirect ‘party to the conflict’: The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq were attacked with Iranian drones and missiles, bringing both their defence systems and economies under stress. This is putting pressure on the Gulf nations to bring back normalcy fast through diplomatic means as their defence systems slowly wear out. 2. Iranian attacks targeted both oil and gas sites and military bases of the Gulf nations: The Iranian calculation was not off the mark, as the cascading effect is now felt in everything from oil and gas prices to food and living costs in the region and all the way to Europe and Asia. 3. Iran made tactical use of the Strait of Hormuz: It had only threatened to block the global fuel trade chokepoint without much action, and yet shocks are being felt in fuel prices because big container carriers have partially or fully suspended operations through the waterway. 4. Iran is making the best use of the asymmetry of cost in this war: Its thousands of cheap Shahed drones and missiles are slowly exhausting million-dollar defence systems of the Gulf nations. 5. The Iranian regime has made sure that there are no large-scale street protests : The ostensible trigger point for the joint US–Israel decapitation strikes was the massive nationwide protests against the regime. But all of a sudden, the political opposition that many thought would replace the Islamic Republic is nowhere in sight. Also read: US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | Four injured after drones fall near Dubai airport 6. The Islamic Republic system is still intact : It stands in spite of the decapitation strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Day One of the war. A new Supreme Leader has now been named, and secondary leadership is still running the country. 7. ‘All systems running’ for Iran in spite of airstrikes: Iran's military bases, airports, oil installations, warships, nuclear and ballistic missile sites were targeted. But the Iranian regime continues to operate, and post propaganda on social media. It still has the on-and-off switch of the Iranian internet, which has gone dark for several days for everyone except the regime. 8. Iran's military doctrine is designed to function despite leadership losses and disruption: Iran’s ‘mosaic defence’ has decentralised command and control structures. Local units of IRGC are capable of continued fighting even if senior leadership or communications are destroyed. The expectations was that the commanders would be killed and infrastructure bombed, but combat operations must continue. 9. Terrain makes a decisive military victory against Iran extremely difficult: From a war analysis point of view, Iran is ‘blessed by geography’. It is a vast country with mountainous terrain, underground facilities, and dispersed military infrastructure. Missile sites, command bunkers, and storage depots are spread across a large territory rather than concentrated in a few locations, many of them underground, making it hard to destroy only through strikes from above. 10. Ground invasion of Iran is yet to happen: Large-scale ground operations would be needed to completely destroy Iran's nuclear, missile and drone sites. The US and Israel appear reluctant, given the troop commitments and potential casualties. Also read: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son 11. Iran missile and drone arsenal can confront long-term pressure: Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic missiles and possibly tens of thousands of drones. Having one of the largest missile forces in the Middle East helps Iran strike intermittently for extended periods, preventing the conflict from ending quickly. 12. Iranian regime is accustomed to operating under extreme sanctions and isolation: The US, the West and Israel used sanctions for decades against Iran as a ‘war by other means’. This meant Iran always functioned under economic siege conditions with its smuggling networks, informal trade channels, and state control mechanisms to cushion shocks. 13. War fatigue and political constraints in the attacking countries: There are domestic political limits on long wars, in a world that is worn out by continuing wars since the start of the new decade. Iran is deliberately making this conflict prolonged and costly for the other parties, even those who are not direct belligerents. 14. Ambiguity around Iran’s nuclear capability is a deterrent: Iran insists it does not have a nuclear weapon, but not many are sure. Can it quickly develop and use a nuclear weapon? That doubt raises the stakes for adversaries, as a desperate Iran could accelerate nuclear weaponisation. 15. Attackers not sure of the final desired outcome of the war: A military campaign can succeed only when objectives are defined. What do Israel and US want to achieve in Iran — territorial control, destruction of nuclear and missile capabilities, destruction of armed forces, or regime change? Their lack of clarity on this is helping Iran. 16. Survival itself is strategic victory for Iran: For all practical purposes, not losing fast can itself amount to winning for Iran. Iran is facing a test of survival against much stronger adversaries. The burden of expectations of victory is on US and Israel, not Iran. Also read: 'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East? Global realities are helping Iran not to lose, though not winning the war For much of the global community, including India, the Islamic Republic is still the government. The Indian external affairs minister, for instance, held at least three phone calls with his Iranian counterpart. Other global players like China and Russia consider it the legitimate government. Iranian ethnic factions like the Kurds are not having much of an impact in the actual war. European nations are yet to fully rally behind either the US or Israel and more worried about continued fuel supply from the region. The US-led military alliance NATO has not invoked the ‘one for all, all for one’ clause in its Article 5, which would have seen them enter the war militarily. Even the US is being forced to acknowledge the need for global energy flows to continue, exemplified in the de-sanctioning of Russian oil supplies to India. Globalisation is helping Iran in odd ways, as fuel supply disruptions caused by the war would affect economies, including that of the US. Iran, which is accused of raising proxies like Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah, does not seem to need them to stay in the war. Most of them are not even fully active in the war to support Iran, yet. Domestic concerns of Trump and Netanyahu may have led to the war. Now they don't know how to get out For the past three decades, Netanyahu has been talking about Iran being ‘very near to building a nuclear bomb’. But there is no sign of Iran detonating a bomb. Iran has threatened to target Israel’s nuclear facility. Many observers believe Israel probably has nuclear weapons, or at least the capability to develop them. Iran went ahead and threatened the main Dimona nuclear site, a message pretty similar to the gangsters’ phrase: ‘we know where you live’. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed The war happened at pivotal points for the political survival of both Trump and Netanyahu. Trump was facing the fallout from the Epstein files, which could affect the Republican Party’s prospects in this year's US midterm elections. If his party loses its majority in the US Congress, he would become a ‘lame-duck’ president for the next two years, opening a Pandora’s box of further legal scrutiny of his actions. He is yet to get congressional approval for the war. He needs something to show as having been achieved through the Iran operation. He could go deeper into Iran, including even boots on the ground to ‘secure uranium’ and prevent Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb. Even that could probably not lead to total regime change in Iran. Netanyahu is facing corruption cases, and Trump even publicly pleaded with the Israeli president to pardon him, which is yet to happen. He is currently leading a minority government, essentially clinging to power thanks to the war situation. In fact, the last elections did not give him a clear majority, but he managed to stay in office largely because most of his tenure has been about the war on Hamas and now on Iran. He is also facing the next general elections, scheduled this year. The elections could make both Trump and Netanyahu less powerful. But Iran’s own specific form of elections has no such burdens. Ultimately, both the US and Israel are realising that this war is not going to get over in 12 days, like the last one did.

As the war enters 12th day, Iran is not losing. Geography, decentralised military, missile and drone capabilities, resilience under sanctions, and political constraints on its adversaries are helping Tehran turn mere survival into a strategic advantage

Not so fast: Iran war reaches 12 days, and Tehran is not losing - 16 reasons why

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday (Mar 10) announced that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. This comes as US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran ‘terror regime’ with a much larger attack if Tehran tries to blocks supplies of oil.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reveals-secret-3-month-head-start-on-exquisite-class-weapon-production-to-fuel-operation-epic-fury-against-iran-bae-lockheed-and-raytheon-1772844959324">Trump reveals US had secret 3-month head start on 'exquisite class' weapon production before Iran war</a><h2>Iran will give 'full right and freedom' but...</h2>According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said that only those countries that sever diplomatic ties with both Israel and the United States will have the "full right and freedom" to transit the strategic waterway.This comes amid the Iran war, as oil prices soared to over $100 per barrel because of multiple reasons, including the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and a slowdown in oil production in the Middle East.<h2>Will Trump remove some sanctions on oil?</h2>US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to hit Iran with a much larger attack if Tehran blocks supplies of oil. "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level," Trump said at a news conference in Florida. Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">'Expel US &amp; Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition</a> In a separate statement, the POTUS also announced that he will waive some sanctions on oil due to market turmoil. "We're also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," he told reporters after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and as he mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping."We're going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out." &nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says countries will get safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz on one condition: they expel US and Israeli ambassadors.

With oil prices surging, what could this mean for global trade? Scroll down to read more.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday (Mar 10) announced that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. This comes as US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran ‘terror regime’ with a much larger attack if Tehran tries to blocks supplies of oil. Also read | Trump reveals US had secret 3-month head start on 'exquisite class' weapon production before Iran war Iran will give 'full right and freedom' but... According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said that only those countries that sever diplomatic ties with both Israel and the United States will have the "full right and freedom" to transit the strategic waterway. This comes amid the Iran war, as oil prices soared to over $100 per barrel because of multiple reasons, including the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and a slowdown in oil production in the Middle East. Will Trump remove some sanctions on oil? US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to hit Iran with a much larger attack if Tehran blocks supplies of oil. "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level," Trump said at a news conference in Florida. Also read | 'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition In a separate statement, the POTUS also announced that he will waive some sanctions on oil due to market turmoil. "We're also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," he told reporters after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and as he mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We're going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says countries will get safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz on one condition: they expel US and Israeli ambassadors.With oil prices surging, what could this mean for global trade? Scroll down to read more.

'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition

The war has moved beyond military confrontation to become an economic stress test for the Middle East and global markets.

The war has moved beyond military confrontation to become an economic stress test for the Middle East and global markets.

'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?

Pardon the pun, but it is time for India’s diplomats to fire on all cylinders – especially keeping in mind an emerging shortage of cooking gas for hotels, restaurants and homes that threatens the everyday eating habits of hundreds of millions of Indians.The crisis that has arisen from the militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf offers an opportunity for India in its own interest to tell both the United States and Iran to allow legitimate Indian interests to prevail – and that is also lawful opportunity to move in coordination with other leading economies of the world, especially its Gulf friends and BRICS partners (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa) to exercise collective leverage to end what for most analysts looks like a pointless war threatening the world economy and peace.The United States has said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying vessels from Iran, even as Tehran’s Islamic Republic regime said it would block the region’s exports, but with a helpful caveat that it would not allow things to be shipped to its “enemies”. India most certainly is not an enemy of Iran, nor is the US. But either country, indirectly or directly affecting the well-being of its citizens, is not something Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government should accept without demur. If anything, the Ministry of External Affairs has now crossed the “none of our business” threshold on the issue.Apart from the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is critical because about 20% of the world’s oil is shipped through it, it is extra important for India because about 50% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to India pass through the strait, mostly from Qatar, which is a peninsula that juts into the Persian Gulf in which the Hormuz waterway is like a bottleneck.The strait is as much a diplomatic minefield as it is a zone for military mines. About 5,800 km in area, but one that has a width of about only 37 km at its narrowest waterway, it is a choke point that needs nuanced discussion – but offers ample scope for both trade under international law and diplomatic space that India can navigate without unsolicited services from a supercop like President Donald Trump’s US.Iran controls a few islands, including Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Hormuz area allowing it de facto control but these three islands are disputed by the United Arab Emirates, which is a reasonably trusted friend of India. The problem for India gets acute only if Qatar is seen by Iran as an enemy state in view of the US military facilities there. By all indications, Tehran’s Islamic rulers are using Qatar’s status in West Asia as a lever to pressure the US to stop its reckless bombings. Officially, Iran and Qatar have cordial relations, including shared interests in the oil economy.India has every right to police its own goods and services in the Hormuz area if it involves shipments from Qatar to India, from India to the UAE and other Gulf states.Authoritative legal guides say the Strait of Hormuz must be viewed under transit passage rules governed by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We are now understandably in a Trumpist world in which international law and UN conventions have been thrown to the sea winds, but the law does allow ships and aircraft uninterrupted and continuous rights to freely navigate the strait even when there is a security crisis, as long as the transit is legitimate which in the current context means oil and LNG supplies meant for commercial, not military use, in India.In a sense, India can become both an international interlocutor and a party legitimately pursuing the interests of bilateral trade for its own citizens in the Hormuz tangle. If played well, this can be a card of utmost geopolitical significance for India, offering an opportunity for course correction in its autonomous diplomacy in which ties with Israel and, indeed, the US, are becoming an albatross around its neck. Surely we need partners who listen to our interests, and where they are not, the much-touted term, “strategic autonomy,” has to be unequivocally invoked. Hormuz thus offers a multilateral opportunity in a bilateral package.Only defined zones near islands and exclusive economic zones are exempt from transit rights in the high seas enjoyed by trading ships. Most certainly, Iran does not have rights to plant dangerous mines in the legitimate navigation zones, nor does that allow the US to impede trade by India or other legitimately entitled states and step up its military presence in the area.Militarily and geographically, the Strait of Hormuz remains a narrow area, but diplomatically, there is enough for India to assert itself, if not as an emerging power concerned about peace and stability in Asia, at least as a country that owes its citizens some energy security for homes and hearths.

India most certainly is not an enemy of Iran, nor is the US. But either country, indirectly or directly affecting the well-being of its citizens, is not something Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government should accept without demur.

Pardon the pun, but it is time for India’s diplomats to fire on all cylinders – especially keeping in mind an emerging shortage of cooking gas for hotels, restaurants and homes that threatens the everyday eating habits of hundreds of millions of Indians. The crisis that has arisen from the militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf offers an opportunity for India in its own interest to tell both the United States and Iran to allow legitimate Indian interests to prevail – and that is also lawful opportunity to move in coordination with other leading economies of the world, especially its Gulf friends and BRICS partners (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa) to exercise collective leverage to end what for most analysts looks like a pointless war threatening the world economy and peace. The United States has said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying vessels from Iran, even as Tehran’s Islamic Republic regime said it would block the region’s exports, but with a helpful caveat that it would not allow things to be shipped to its “enemies”. India most certainly is not an enemy of Iran, nor is the US. But either country, indirectly or directly affecting the well-being of its citizens, is not something Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government should accept without demur. If anything, the Ministry of External Affairs has now crossed the “none of our business” threshold on the issue. Apart from the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is critical because about 20% of the world’s oil is shipped through it, it is extra important for India because about 50% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to India pass through the strait, mostly from Qatar, which is a peninsula that juts into the Persian Gulf in which the Hormuz waterway is like a bottleneck. The strait is as much a diplomatic minefield as it is a zone for military mines. About 5,800 km in area, but one that has a width of about only 37 km at its narrowest waterway, it is a choke point that needs nuanced discussion – but offers ample scope for both trade under international law and diplomatic space that India can navigate without unsolicited services from a supercop like President Donald Trump’s US. Iran controls a few islands, including Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Hormuz area allowing it de facto control but these three islands are disputed by the United Arab Emirates, which is a reasonably trusted friend of India. The problem for India gets acute only if Qatar is seen by Iran as an enemy state in view of the US military facilities there. By all indications, Tehran’s Islamic rulers are using Qatar’s status in West Asia as a lever to pressure the US to stop its reckless bombings. Officially, Iran and Qatar have cordial relations, including shared interests in the oil economy. India has every right to police its own goods and services in the Hormuz area if it involves shipments from Qatar to India, from India to the UAE and other Gulf states. Authoritative legal guides say the Strait of Hormuz must be viewed under transit passage rules governed by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We are now understandably in a Trumpist world in which international law and UN conventions have been thrown to the sea winds, but the law does allow ships and aircraft uninterrupted and continuous rights to freely navigate the strait even when there is a security crisis, as long as the transit is legitimate which in the current context means oil and LNG supplies meant for commercial, not military use, in India. In a sense, India can become both an international interlocutor and a party legitimately pursuing the interests of bilateral trade for its own citizens in the Hormuz tangle. If played well, this can be a card of utmost geopolitical significance for India, offering an opportunity for course correction in its autonomous diplomacy in which ties with Israel and, indeed, the US, are becoming an albatross around its neck. Surely we need partners who listen to our interests, and where they are not, the much-touted term, “strategic autonomy,” has to be unequivocally invoked. Hormuz thus offers a multilateral opportunity in a bilateral package. Only defined zones near islands and exclusive economic zones are exempt from transit rights in the high seas enjoyed by trading ships. Most certainly, Iran does not have rights to plant dangerous mines in the legitimate navigation zones, nor does that allow the US to impede trade by India or other legitimately entitled states and step up its military presence in the area. Militarily and geographically, the Strait of Hormuz remains a narrow area, but diplomatically, there is enough for India to assert itself, if not as an emerging power concerned about peace and stability in Asia, at least as a country that owes its citizens some energy security for homes and hearths.

India most certainly is not an enemy of Iran, nor is the US. But either country, indirectly or directly affecting the well-being of its citizens, is not something Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government should accept without demur.

Gas diplomacy ahoy! Hormuz crisis offers opportunity for India to play mediator and help its homes

Sixteen Iranian ships that were laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been destroyed. Donald Trump and the US Central Command informed about the sinkings on social media. Iran has held the point hostage, leading to a rise in oil prices. 

Sixteen Iranian ships that were laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been destroyed. Donald Trump and the US Central Command informed about the sinkings on social media. Iran has held the point hostage, leading to a rise in oil prices.&nbsp;

16 Iranian ships planting mines near Strait of Hormuz sink after missile strikes

The United States military says it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels were believed to be capable of deploying naval mines in the strategic waterway.

U.S. officials said the operation was aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping and preventing threats to maritime traffic moving through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, carrying a major share of global oil and LNG shipments.

The strikes come amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has disrupted shipping in the region and heightened concerns over global energy supplies.

US-Iran War: US Central Command Releases Footage Of Minelayers Being Hit

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out deploying US troops in the escalating conflict with Iran, as per White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (March 10), Leavitt emphasised that the administration is keeping all military options on the table. “As for boots on the ground, the president has talked about this repeatedly. Wisely, he does not rule options out as commander in chief. So again, I would hesitate to confirm anything that a Democrat on Capitol Hill says right now about the president’s thinking,” Leavitt told reporters.&nbsp;Her statement appeared to respond to comments from Democratic senators, including Richard Blumenthal, who spoke about the possibility of US troops being deployed. “We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives here,” Blumenthal said after a briefing on Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-s-how-many-us-troops-have-been-injured-in-iran-war-pentagon-reveals-toll-1773169940898">Here's how many US troops have been injured in Iran war. Pentagon reveals toll</a><h2>Iran begins laying mines in Strait of Hormuz: Reports</h2>Meanwhile, US intelligence indicates that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply passes. According to two sources familiar with the intelligence reporting, the mining activity remains limited so far, with only a few dozen mines placed in recent days. However, one of the sources noted that Iran still retains about 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine-laying vessels, meaning it could deploy hundreds of mines if the situation escalates.&nbsp;Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which effectively controls the strait alongside Iran’s traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a “gauntlet” of mine-laying craft, explosive boats and shore-based missile systems. The IRGC had previously warned that any ship passing through the strait would be targeted. Since the start of the conflict, the waterway has effectively been closed.&nbsp;Officials have described the strait’s current condition as a “death valley” due to the dangers associated with navigation.US officials said on Tuesday that the US Navy has not escorted any vessels through the strait so far. However, Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration is considering options to escort ships through the strategic passage.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. <a href="https://t.co/371unKYiJs">pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2031489675760640370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>US targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels: Trump</h2>Donald Trump said the US military had “completely destroyed” 10 inactive Iranian mine-laying vessels following reports of possible Iranian activity in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on social media, Trump added that there would be “more to follow,” indicating that the United States could target additional mine-laying ships. The announcement came shortly after two earlier social media posts from the president. In those messages, he said he had no reports confirming that Iran had placed explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but warned Tehran that if such mines were deployed, they should be removed immediately.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/german-groups-urge-fine-against-apple-say-changes-fail-to-fix-ad-concerns-wion-1773173686567/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/german-groups-urge-fine-against-apple-say-changes-fail-to-fix-ad-concerns-wion-1773173686567/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Iran as Tehran lays mines in Strait of Hormuz; says US targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out deploying US troops in the escalating conflict with Iran, as per White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (March 10), Leavitt emphasised that the administration is keeping all military options on the table. “As for boots on the ground, the president has talked about this repeatedly. Wisely, he does not rule options out as commander in chief. So again, I would hesitate to confirm anything that a Democrat on Capitol Hill says right now about the president’s thinking,” Leavitt told reporters. Her statement appeared to respond to comments from Democratic senators, including Richard Blumenthal, who spoke about the possibility of US troops being deployed. “We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives here,” Blumenthal said after a briefing on Iran. Also Read: Here's how many US troops have been injured in Iran war. Pentagon reveals toll Iran begins laying mines in Strait of Hormuz: Reports Meanwhile, US intelligence indicates that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply passes. According to two sources familiar with the intelligence reporting, the mining activity remains limited so far, with only a few dozen mines placed in recent days. However, one of the sources noted that Iran still retains about 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine-laying vessels, meaning it could deploy hundreds of mines if the situation escalates. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which effectively controls the strait alongside Iran’s traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a “gauntlet” of mine-laying craft, explosive boats and shore-based missile systems. The IRGC had previously warned that any ship passing through the strait would be targeted. Since the start of the conflict, the waterway has effectively been closed. Officials have described the strait’s current condition as a “death valley” due to the dangers associated with navigation. US officials said on Tuesday that the US Navy has not escorted any vessels through the strait so far. However, Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration is considering options to escort ships through the strategic passage.

Trump keeps troop deployment option open in Iran war as US intelligence reports Tehran laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route

According to the UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi, a significant portion of Iran’s uranium enriched to about 60 per cent purity was believed to have been stored at a tunnel complex before the current conflict escalated.

According to the UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi, a significant portion of Iran’s uranium enriched to about 60 per cent purity was believed to have been stored at a tunnel complex before the current conflict escalated.

‘More than 60% uranium’: Why this site could be hiding much of Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile?

Before the US and Israel started bombarding Iran in late February, European leaders were often vocal critics of the Islamic Republic regime's alleged human rights violations and protest suppressions. But there has been a conspicuous absence of united rhetoric or action on the ground to change the regime since the war began. What accounts for Europe's muted response, particularly stark when compared with the high-pitched rhetoric during the Russia–Ukraine war? How did European leaders respond to the war, essentially started by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Is Europe only worried about the continuous flow of heating oil, crude oil products and gas, and not so much about democracy or human rights in Iran?<h2>Europe's cautious, balanced language on the Iran war</h2>Official statements from the European Union or specific European leaders condemned Iranian actions such as retaliatory strikes on Gulf states. The statements mostly urged de-escalation and restraint without either endorsing or directly criticising the US–Israeli airstrikes. They paid lip service to democracy and human rights in Iran while expressing solidarity with the Iranian people. European leaders called for a “credible transition” or peaceful change rather than offering any justification for US-Israel military action.<h2>Europe engages in diplomatic hedging on Iran war</h2>Europe's response is best described as diplomatic hedging. Many of its 27 member states are also part of the security alliance NATO, of which the US is the main partner. European leaders do not want to alienate the Trump administration, which could affect ongoing Russia–Ukraine negotiations and broader security cooperation. At the same time, they are worried about how trade flows could be affected, for instance if Iran blocks ships carrying goods to Europe via the Strait of Hormuz — something Tehran has repeatedly threatened to do.The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, described Iran as an “exporter of war” and accused it of seeking to escalate the conflict by attacking regional neighbours. But Kallas stopped short of supporting the US–Israeli strikes, instead stressing the need for de-escalation.A European Union joint statement on March 1 urged Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and stop repression against its citizens. But again, the emphasis was on “maximum restraint” from all parties, without naming the US or Israel as aggressors.EU Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a videoconference with Middle Eastern leaders on Monday (Mar 9) in which they condemned “indiscriminate attacks by Iran” and expressed solidarity with affected Gulf states. There too, they stressed diplomatic solutions without endorsing the war launched by the US and Israel.This is a sharp contrast with Europe’s collective fury over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, where terms like “unprovoked aggression” were regularly used.<h2>Mixed message from the European Union on Iran war?</h2>Analysts also pointed to internal leadership tussles and turf wars between Kallas and von der Leyen, which could be contributing to mixed messaging from Europe on the Iran war.&nbsp;Von der Leyen, in a post on X, said: “Europe stands with the people of Iran in their legitimate fight for freedom,” and called for a “credible transition in Iran.”Kallas appeared to explicitly oppose another war, saying Europe should use Iran’s “weakest point” to pursue a “diplomatic solution”.Overall, the tone of EU statements has been one of supporting the Iranian people’s “right to determine their own future” and condemning regime violence. But European leaders appear reluctant to endorse the use of force for regime change, which Israel and the US are widely believed to be attempting.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/centcom-5000-targets-iran-operation-epic-fury-strike-video-1773119657977">CENTCOM claims 5,000 targets hit in Iran during first 10 days of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, releases strike video</a><h2>No major European leader openly supported US–Israel attacks on Iran</h2>No top European leaders spoke in favour of the war or endorsed the US–Israeli strikes as a means to promote democracy or human rights in Iran. The statements were carefully calculated, choreographed and deliberately neutral. French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes an “outbreak of war” with serious consequences for international peace. He sought an urgent UN Security Council meeting while urging negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. He also offered French military assistance to Middle Eastern partners. However, he did not praise the US–Israel offensive.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who before the war had predicted that the regime in Iran would fall soon, made statements such as “international law is no longer respected” and said Germany must prioritise its own interests. This implied a reluctance to openly support the Israel–US offensive, as Merz also expressed hope that the war would “end quickly”.In a joint statement with France and Germany, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Iran against missile attacks. But there too the call was for intensive diplomacy and military coordination in a defensive context rather than support for offensive action.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-four-weeks-to-war-is-very-complete-to-not-won-enough-trump-contradicts-himself-about-endgame-of-iran-war-khamenei-dead-netanyahu-israel-1773117026231">From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself on endgame of Iran war</a><h2>Some European leaders openly opposed the war</h2>Contrary to the general expectation that the West would stand united with the US, some European leaders openly opposed the war. They warned that it could cause global instability, trigger more migration and disrupt energy supplies.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of the most vocal critics of the war, rejected the US–Israel strikes on Iran outright. “The world has seen this type of conflict before when the US attacked Iraq, promising democracy and stability. The conflict only led to a rise in jihadist terrorism, a migration crisis in Europe and higher energy prices,” he said.Sánchez went one step further, accusing Trump and Netanyahu of using the war to “hide their own failures” domestically, even as he rejected US requests for assistance.&nbsp;Reportedly, Italy, the UK, Germany and France excluded Sánchez from some discussions because of his stance.Europe’s stress appears to be on de-escalation. While von der Leyen and Costa jointly urged “maximum restraint” to avoid undermining global nuclear non-proliferation efforts, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in talks with China, agreed to work towards de-escalation and a political solution while respecting Iranian aspirations.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-irgc-warns-gulf-states-of-200-oil-if-attacks-continue-wion-1773102593952/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-irgc-warns-gulf-states-of-200-oil-if-attacks-continue-wion-1773102593952/embed</a><h2>So what is Europe’s worry — gas and oil, or more?</h2>It would not be far off the mark to say Europe appears to be more worried about uninterrupted gas and oil supplies than spreading Western ideas of human rights and democracy in Iran. Energy security for Europe has become a central concern in discussions because of the continent’s vulnerability if supplies are disrupted.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass. Any disruption there immediately affects global markets, including Europe. Oil prices have been hovering around $100 per barrel after jumping sharply during the escalation, while European natural gas prices have also risen significantly.Disruptions to Qatar’s LNG exports are affecting Europe at a time when gas storage levels remain relatively low.All this could lead to a cascading effect in Europe, including stagflation, higher inflation and economic slowdown — especially in gas-dependent economies such as Germany.<h2>If the war continues, food costs would rise for Europe</h2>Western ideas such as freedom for Iranians have now become secondary to more pragmatic concerns about energy shocks, new waves of migration and broader economic fragility. Europe is already dealing with the economic consequences of the Ukraine war. Energy-import-dependent economies in Europe cannot easily afford to endorse yet another war in the Middle East.Europe is vulnerable to high energy prices and is not well placed to cushion a major shock, according to analysts. The best course for Europe, therefore, may be a more pragmatic rather than ideological approach to the situation. That is why the entire region now appears cautious and largely silent about any bolder approach towards “regime change” in Iran.

European leaders responded cautiously to the US–Israel war on Iran, urging restraint and diplomacy. But why? Their own energy security, trade risks and geopolitical calculations seem to have outweighed usual paeans to democracy or regime change

Before the US and Israel started bombarding Iran in late February, European leaders were often vocal critics of the Islamic Republic regime's alleged human rights violations and protest suppressions. But there has been a conspicuous absence of united rhetoric or action on the ground to change the regime since the war began. What accounts for Europe's muted response, particularly stark when compared with the high-pitched rhetoric during the Russia–Ukraine war? How did European leaders respond to the war, essentially started by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Is Europe only worried about the continuous flow of heating oil, crude oil products and gas, and not so much about democracy or human rights in Iran? Europe's cautious, balanced language on the Iran war Official statements from the European Union or specific European leaders condemned Iranian actions such as retaliatory strikes on Gulf states. The statements mostly urged de-escalation and restraint without either endorsing or directly criticising the US–Israeli airstrikes. They paid lip service to democracy and human rights in Iran while expressing solidarity with the Iranian people. European leaders called for a “credible transition” or peaceful change rather than offering any justification for US-Israel military action. Europe engages in diplomatic hedging on Iran war Europe's response is best described as diplomatic hedging. Many of its 27 member states are also part of the security alliance NATO, of which the US is the main partner. European leaders do not want to alienate the Trump administration, which could affect ongoing Russia–Ukraine negotiations and broader security cooperation. At the same time, they are worried about how trade flows could be affected, for instance if Iran blocks ships carrying goods to Europe via the Strait of Hormuz — something Tehran has repeatedly threatened to do. The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, described Iran as an “exporter of war” and accused it of seeking to escalate the conflict by attacking regional neighbours. But Kallas stopped short of supporting the US–Israeli strikes, instead stressing the need for de-escalation. A European Union joint statement on March 1 urged Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and stop repression against its citizens. But again, the emphasis was on “maximum restraint” from all parties, without naming the US or Israel as aggressors. EU Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a videoconference with Middle Eastern leaders on Monday (Mar 9) in which they condemned “indiscriminate attacks by Iran” and expressed solidarity with affected Gulf states. There too, they stressed diplomatic solutions without endorsing the war launched by the US and Israel. This is a sharp contrast with Europe’s collective fury over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, where terms like “unprovoked aggression” were regularly used. Mixed message from the European Union on Iran war? Analysts also pointed to internal leadership tussles and turf wars between Kallas and von der Leyen, which could be contributing to mixed messaging from Europe on the Iran war. Von der Leyen, in a post on X, said: “Europe stands with the people of Iran in their legitimate fight for freedom,” and called for a “credible transition in Iran.” Kallas appeared to explicitly oppose another war, saying Europe should use Iran’s “weakest point” to pursue a “diplomatic solution”. Overall, the tone of EU statements has been one of supporting the Iranian people’s “right to determine their own future” and condemning regime violence. But European leaders appear reluctant to endorse the use of force for regime change, which Israel and the US are widely believed to be attempting. Also read: CENTCOM claims 5,000 targets hit in Iran during first 10 days of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, releases strike video No major European leader openly supported US–Israel attacks on Iran No top European leaders spoke in favour of the war or endorsed the US–Israeli strikes as a means to promote democracy or human rights in Iran. The statements were carefully calculated, choreographed and deliberately neutral. French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes an “outbreak of war” with serious consequences for international peace. He sought an urgent UN Security Council meeting while urging negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. He also offered French military assistance to Middle Eastern partners. However, he did not praise the US–Israel offensive. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who before the war had predicted that the regime in Iran would fall soon, made statements such as “international law is no longer respected” and said Germany must prioritise its own interests. This implied a reluctance to openly support the Israel–US offensive, as Merz also expressed hope that the war would “end quickly”. In a joint statement with France and Germany, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Iran against missile attacks. But there too the call was for intensive diplomacy and military coordination in a defensive context rather than support for offensive action. Also read: From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself on endgame of Iran war Some European leaders openly opposed the war Contrary to the general expectation that the West would stand united with the US, some European leaders openly opposed the war. They warned that it could cause global instability, trigger more migration and disrupt energy supplies. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of the most vocal critics of the war, rejected the US–Israel strikes on Iran outright. “The world has seen this type of conflict before when the US attacked Iraq, promising democracy and stability. The conflict only led to a rise in jihadist terrorism, a migration crisis in Europe and higher energy prices,” he said. Sánchez went one step further, accusing Trump and Netanyahu of using the war to “hide their own failures” domestically, even as he rejected US requests for assistance. Reportedly, Italy, the UK, Germany and France excluded Sánchez from some discussions because of his stance. Europe’s stress appears to be on de-escalation. While von der Leyen and Costa jointly urged “maximum restraint” to avoid undermining global nuclear non-proliferation efforts, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in talks with China, agreed to work towards de-escalation and a political solution while respecting Iranian aspirations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-irgc-warns-gulf-states-of-200-oil-if-attacks-continue-wion-1773102593952/embed So what is Europe’s worry — gas and oil, or more? It would not be far off the mark to say Europe appears to be more worried about uninterrupted gas and oil supplies than spreading Western ideas of human rights and democracy in Iran. Energy security for Europe has become a central concern in discussions because of the continent’s vulnerability if supplies are disrupted. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass. Any disruption there immediately affects global markets, including Europe. Oil prices have been hovering around $100 per barrel after jumping sharply during the escalation, while European natural gas prices have also risen significantly. Disruptions to Qatar’s LNG exports are affecting Europe at a time when gas storage levels remain relatively low. All this could lead to a cascading effect in Europe, including stagflation, higher inflation and economic slowdown — especially in gas-dependent economies such as Germany. If the war continues, food costs would rise for Europe Western ideas such as freedom for Iranians have now become secondary to more pragmatic concerns about energy shocks, new waves of migration and broader economic fragility. Europe is already dealing with the economic consequences of the Ukraine war. Energy-import-dependent economies in Europe cannot easily afford to endorse yet another war in the Middle East. Europe is vulnerable to high energy prices and is not well placed to cushion a major shock, according to analysts. The best course for Europe, therefore, may be a more pragmatic rather than ideological approach to the situation. That is why the entire region now appears cautious and largely silent about any bolder approach towards “regime change” in Iran.

European leaders responded cautiously to the US–Israel war on Iran, urging restraint and diplomacy. But why? Their own energy security, trade risks and geopolitical calculations seem to have outweighed usual paeans to democracy or regime change

Europe's reluctance to support US-Israel military operations on Iran. What about democracy, human rights, etc.?

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Strait Of Hormuz, News on Strait Of Hormuz, stories on Strait Of Hormuz, articles on Strait Of Hormuz, Strait Of Hormuz stories at Wion, Strait Of Hormuz news, Strait Of Hormuz latest news

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Iran may allow ships through Strait of Hormuz — but with a catch. Deets inside

US-Iran War: US Deploys More Marines To Hormuz Amid Attacks on Ships

Report: France, Italy Seek to Secure Passage of Ships Through Hormuz

‘Going to be hitting them very hard over the next week’: Trump warns Iran

7 reasons Trump’s Iran war is not over — From Strait of Hormuz to nuclear fears

US-Iran War: G7 Asks Trump to Ensure Safe Passage Through Hormuz

US-Iran War: G7 Tells Trump to Ensure Opening of Strait of Hormuz

‘Iran not laying mines, allowed ships of some nations to cross Strait of Hormuz’

7 takeaways from Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first message

Mojtaba vows revenge for ‘crimes’ on Iran, warns of more attacks on US bases

US Energy Secretary Rules Out Navy Escorts in Strait of Hormuz

US-Iran War: Does Trump Have a Counter for Iran's Hormuz Strategy?

US-Israel War With Iran: Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Global Fertiliser Trade

US-Iran War: Iran Says Ready for Long War That May Destroy World Economy

India crude tanker reaches Mumbai port after Iran's nod - VIDEO

WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf

'India deplores the fact': MEA condemns attack on Thai ship in Strait of Hormuz

With Hormuz in its grip, Iran ships more oil even as war halts others

Thai-flagged cargo ship struck by missiles in Strait of Hormuz, 20 rescued

US Military Attacks Iran's Minelaying Boats in Strait of Hormuz

US-Iran War: Trump Warns Iran Against Mining in Strait of Hormuz

UK says cargo ship set ablaze in Strait of Hormuz after being hit by projectile

16 reasons why Iran - Israel - US war is not ending in 12 days like last time

Iran ready to give countries 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz, but ONLY IF...

Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?

Hormuz crisis offers opportunity for India to play mediator and help its homes