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Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Gulf states on high alert after US strikes Iran's nuclear sites
FILE PHOTO: A general downtown view is seen with heat haze over the skyline during the afternoon hours in Manama, Bahrain, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo DUBAI/RIYADH - Gulf states, home to multiple U.S. military bases, were on high alert on Sunday after U.S. strikes on Iran raised the possibility of a widening conflict in the region. U.S. forces "obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites with massive bunker-busting bombs in the early hours of Sunday in the region, President Donald Trump said, warning Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, was on a high security alert after the U.S. strikes, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Sunday, while Bahrain urged drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait set up shelters in a ministries complex. Tehran has previously warned that if it was attacked by the United States, it could target American assets in the region, including U.S. military bases. Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and there are U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as in neighbouring Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Nuclear authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they had not detected signs of nuclear contamination following the strikes in Iran. "While the war has so far been contained in direct hostilities between Israel and Iran, direct U.S. involvement is a critical threshold that risks dragging the Gulf states, notably Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, which host large US military facilities, into the conflict," said Hasan Al Hasan, a senior fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic studies. He said the risk of an open conflict between the U.S. and Iran could plunge the region into a devastating and potentially protracted conflict. "In light of recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary to maintain public safety and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X. Bahrain also told 70% of its government employees to work from home on Sunday until further notice, citing escalating tensions, according the Civil Service Bureau. The country's authorities earlier this week said they had activated a national plan to prepare for emergencies, set up an emergency centre and tested warning sirens. Local media also reported that Bahrain had set up 33 shelters. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Bahrain, Kuwait prepare for possible Iran conflict spread
FILE PHOTO: A general downtown view is seen with heat haze over the skyline during the afternoon hours in Manama, Bahrain, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo DUBAI (Reuters) -Bahrain and Kuwait, home to U.S. bases, made preparations on Sunday for the possibility the Iran conflict might spread to their territory, with Bahrain urging drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait establishing shelters in a ministries complex after U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. U.S. forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites late on Saturday, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. Tehran had previously warned if it was attacked by the United States, it could target American assets in the region, including U.S. military bases. Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and there are several U.S. bases in Kuwait. "In light of recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary, to maintain public safety and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X. Bahrain also told 70% of government employees to work from home on Sunday until further notice, citing escalating tensions, according the Civil Service Bureau. Kuwait set up shelters in the country's ministries complex, an extensive compound of buildings that houses several government departments, including the ministries of justice and finance, the finance ministry said. Bahraini authorities earlier this week said they had activated a national plan and a national civil emergency centre to prepare in case of emergencies and proceeded to test warning sirens across the country. Regional media also reported the country had set up 33 shelters. (Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Writing by Federico Maccioni in Dubai, Editing by Hugh Lawson, Andrew Mills and Clelia Oziel)
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Bahrain, Kuwait prepare for possible Iran conflict spread
FILE PHOTO: A general downtown view is seen with heat haze over the skyline during the afternoon hours in Manama, Bahrain, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo DUBAI - Bahrain and Kuwait, home to U.S. bases, made preparations on Sunday for the possibility the Iran conflict might spread to their territory, with Bahrain urging drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait establishing shelters in a ministries complex after U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. U.S. forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites late on Saturday, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. Tehran had previously warned if it was attacked by the United States, it could target American assets in the region, including U.S. military bases. Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and there are several U.S. bases in Kuwait. "In light of recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary, to maintain public safety and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X. Bahrain also told 70% of government employees to work from home on Sunday until further notice, citing escalating tensions, according the Civil Service Bureau. Kuwait set up shelters in the country's ministries complex, an extensive compound of buildings that houses several government departments, including the ministries of justice and finance, the finance ministry said. Bahraini authorities earlier this week said they had activated a national plan and a national civil emergency centre to prepare in case of emergencies and proceeded to test warning sirens across the country. Regional media also reported the country had set up 33 shelters. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ships advised to keep their distance from Iran around Hormuz Strait
FILE PHOTO: A tug boat moves cargo towards the Strait of Hormuz, in Musandam province, Oman, July 20, 2018. Picture taken on July 20, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/ File Photo Ships advised to keep their distance from Iran around Hormuz Strait LONDON - Commercial ships are sailing close to Oman and are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around the Strait of Hormuz, with the risk of the conflict between Israel and Iran escalating, shipping sources said on Wednesday. Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices. In the latest measure, ships sailing towards Hormuz are looking to minimise risks and are sailing close to Oman's coast for much of the journey. The Gulf of Oman is 200 miles (320 km) wide - much of it international waters - and is bordered by Oman and Iran, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, which have territorial waters of 12 miles. Journeys will still need to be made through Hormuz itself, which is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point. The two shipping lanes are just 2 miles (3 km) wide in either direction. A larger cluster of ships was sailing closer to the Omani coast on Wednesday, while mainly Iranian-flagged vessels were sailing within Iranian waters, according to ship-tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform. "Taking into account that during the past, there have been incidents of violations of freedom of navigation and maritime safety for merchant vessels near the shores of Iran, we strongly suggest that Greek-flagged vessels sail, if possible, away from waters of Iranian jurisdiction when in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman," the Greek Shipping Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement read by a television presenter on Wednesday that his country will not accept U.S. President Donald Trump's call for an unconditional surrender, in his first comments since Israel began bombarding Iran on Friday. Iran has responded with deadly barrages across Israel. Electronic interference with commercial ship navigation systems has surged in recent days around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf, adding to risks for sailors hauling oil cargoes. Average earnings for the supertankers that carry a maximum of 2 million barrels of oil have surged in recent days to over $50,000 a day from over $20,000 a week ago, according to analysts. "The regional threat level remains significant as strikes continue from both Iran and Israel," the multinational, U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces JMIC Information Center said in an advisory, adding that the maritime threat level is elevated. QatarEnergy has instructed tankers to remain outside the Strait of Hormuz and to enter the Gulf only the day before loading, amid military strikes between nearby Iran and Israel, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Mint
14-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Strait of Hormuz: Will Iran shut the vital oil artery of the world?
Shweta Singh As tensions escalate following Israeli strikes on Iran, fears rise that Tehran could choke the Strait of Hormuz, which is significant for its strategic location. What does this imply for countries like India and for the broader geopolitical landscape? The Strait of Hormuz sees roughly 20 million barrels per day of oil, and oil products shipments,. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo Gift this article As tensions escalate following Israeli strikes on Iran, fears rise that Tehran could choke the Strait of Hormuz. However, patterns in history indicate that while there might be temporary disruption in maritime traffic, Iran might refrain from choking the Strait of Hormuz, as it will pinch its friends more than its enemies. As tensions escalate following Israeli strikes on Iran, fears rise that Tehran could choke the Strait of Hormuz. However, patterns in history indicate that while there might be temporary disruption in maritime traffic, Iran might refrain from choking the Strait of Hormuz, as it will pinch its friends more than its enemies. Mint explains why the Strait of Hormuz is significant geopolitically, and economically and what it means for India and Iran-US talks. Why is the Strait of Hormuz significant geopolitically and economically? The Strait of Hormuz is significant for its strategic location. It lies between Oman and Iran, linking the sea passage from the countries on the Gulf (Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) with the Arabian Sea and beyond. The strait is only 33 km wide at its narrowest point. According to available statistics, it sees roughly 20 million barrels per day of oil, and oil products shipments, and accounts for nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Further, one-third of the world's liquified natural gas LNG passes through the route. The maritime sea lanes, as the critical outlet for Gulf countries, are watched by the US Navy's Fifth Fleet based in Manama, Bahrain. The Strait of Hormuz is the vital oil artery for the world, and any disruptions, or even temporary closure, will send global oil shocks across the world. Will Tehran, or can Tehran, actually shut the Strait of Hormuz? With the Israeli air strikes on its military and nuclear establishments, Tehran has threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz. But will it do so? Or is Iran using Hormuz as bargaining chip that leverages the fears of global oil shock and oil vulnerability of its friends, and enemies alike? While there could be some disruption- Iran might actually refrain from a full-scale blockade. There are three significant reasons why Iran might not actually do so, even while signalling that it might do so rhetorically. First, it will hurt Iran's friend, China, the world second-largest economy, and Iran's largest trading partner. China, is number one importer of oil, accounting for nearly three quarter of its oil export. So China, will not like to see any disruption in its maritime oil shipments, and might actually use its economic leverage with Iran to prevent Iran from closure of the narrow lane. Second, it will rupture Iran's relationship with Oman (which owns the southern half of the strait) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC States). With Oman, careful crafting of a relationship has resulted in greater dependency for Iran on a wide range of issues. Further, Oman has been a strong advocate of freedom of navigation in the sea passage. On the other hand, while there has been a history of difficult relationships between GCC states, in the recent past, there has been a détente of sorts, and Iran risks a fallout if it were to close the Strait of Hormuz. Third, domestically this might not work for the interest of the regime, as any economic hits or closure of its oil exporting terminal, will see a surge in prices, and fuel popular discontent, which might impact both regime stability, and reformist tendencies for President Masoud Pezeshkian. Also Read: Javier Blas: An Israel-Iran war may not rattle the oil market Where does this leave US-Iran talk? The US is giving clear indications that it will attend Sunday's talks with Iran in Oman with a focus on limiting Iran's ability to build a nuclear bomb- a move that Iran has vehemently resisted. While the US claims it has no role or remains unaware of Israel's strikes on Tehran, the timing of the strikes raises a pertinent question. This comes just before the crucial 15 June talks between the US and Iran in Oman. While the US and Trump deny any role, it remains doubtful that Netanyahu and Israel would act without a green signal from the US. So, it seems the attacks serve a dual purpose, for the US, it pushes Tehran to re-engage in talks with the US that it has put on the slow burner in the past few weeks. For Israel, a tacit US support in any case works, given it sees Iran, and its nuclear programme as an existential threat. Further, Netanyahu, would anyway want to see the collapse of the deal between US and Iran, and has for the longest time opposed it. However, despite strategic denials by the US, the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists, and the reported wounding of one of its negotiators many actually convince a anyways belligerent to Iran, to walk down the path towards a nuclear weapon to build its own nuclear deterrence. Will China rein in Iran? In the recent past, China has strategically drawn in Iran into the Belt and Road Initiative, which Tehran joined in 2019. China has been working to build new connectivity opportunities, for instance, railway projects for Iran that serve two significant aims: first, it provides opportunities for bringing in Central Asian countries and Iran into the connectivity matrix. And second, it helps counter US hegemony, and can offset the US sanctions that are imposed time and again. In the moment of the current crisis, if Hormuz is choked, China will be hit, given it's the largest exporter of Iranian Oil. So China, might actually reign in Iran, given its impending economic interest, and disruption in global oil supply chain, will impede its own economic interest first and foremost. Also Read | Israel's war on Iran to hit Indian workforce What will this mean for India? For India, over two-thirds of its oil imports and nearly half of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This surely puts India in a tight spot, given that any disruption in the global supply chain will hit India, particularly in the LNG sector—given that it imports a major chunk of its LNG from Qatar and UAE. According to available reports, January-November 2024, India imported 9.82 million tonnes of LNG from Qatar, which accounted for 38.8 per cent of India's overall LNG imports. So, a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a chunk of LNG exported by Qatar and the UAE passes, will hit countries like India. Further, in the recent past, India has strengthened strategic ties with Israel, particularly in the sectors of defence, intelligence, and technology. For India, it is tightrope walk, given the need to do a balancing act between Israel and Iran. Further in terms of India's connectivity interest, both Chabahar port and IMEC corridor anyway stand in a freeze mode, given the ever-growing tensions between Israel and Iran. Shweta Singh is an associate professor, Department of International Relations, Faculty of International Studies, South Asian University. Topics You May Be Interested In
