Latest news with #InternationalSOS
Metro
9 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Why Iran closing this 103-mile stretch of ocean could be catastrophic
As fighting between Israel and Iran is boiling over with the US now involved, the most strategic oil chokepoint in the world – the Strait of Hormuz – is in the spotlight. Concerns have been raised about just how disruptive the war could be for the steady flow of Gulf oil shipments to Europe, the US and Asia. All eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's parliament voted to approve the closure today. The decision still needs to be rubber-stamped by the country's Supreme National Security Council. Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, warned that shutting it could cause a bigger market turmoil than the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Covid-19. He told Metro that the price of oil could jump from the current $71.77 to as much as $120 per barrel in a 'worst-case scenario'. 'Iran has a very well-established naval base in the city of Bandar Abbas and it has a strong naval capability,' Lakhani explained. 'So whether they decide to pull that lever… is something we are concerned about and are watching very closely.' About a fifth of the world's oil is transited through the shipping lane, which splits Iran on one side and Oman and the UAE on the other, and links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Tankers collecting from various ports on the Persian Gulf must go through Hormuz. The strait – between 35 to 60 miles wide – has been at the heart of regional tensions for decades, but the threat from Iran to shut it has only escalated the fears. Islamic Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari told local media that closing Hormuz 'is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination.' He said: 'Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response.' As a major chokepoint, the operation of Hormuz is critical to global energy security. The inability of any oil to transit – even temporarily – can create substantial supply delays and raise shipping costs, increasing world energy prices. Although most chokepoints can be bypassed by using other routes, which often add significantly to transit time, some have no alternatives. Lakhani stressed that Kowsari's threat 'should be taken seriously', judging by the US repositioning of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier along with several support tankers to bolster the military in the region. Iran's threat to shut Homruz comes as a vessel crashed into two ships sailing nearby, 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the UAE. The Emirati national guard said it evacuated 24 people from an oil tanker after the collision. The crude oil tanker, ADALYNN, was bound for Egypt's Suez Canal when the crash in the Gulf of Oman happened. More Trending British maritime security firm Ambrey has said the cause of the incident is 'not security-related'. Naval sources cited by Reuters warned that electronic interference with commercial ship navigation systems has surged in recent days around the strait and the wider Gulf, which is having an impact on vessels. Maritime ship experts say shipowners are increasingly wary of using the waterway, with some ships having tightened security and others canceling routes there. The Strait of Hormuz vote today comes after the US administration announced that is warplanes had dropped 'bunker buster' bombs on three key nuclear sites. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Is Donald Trump gambling his popularity and presidency with strikes on Iran? MORE: London to Dubai BA flight turns back 90 minutes from landing after Iran strikes MORE: UK prepares flights to help British nationals escape Israel after US bombs Iran
Metro
4 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Revealed: Bunker buster bomb that is the reason why Israel wants US to join war
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israel unleashed operation 'Rising Lion', dropping missile after missile on Iranian nuclear sites – despite not possessing the warhead up to the task to destroy them. America's 30,000-pound precision-guided bomb is the only one that could penetrate the web of underground bunkers where Iran is carrying out its nuclear programme. The GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – known as bunker buster – is capable of penetrating 200 feet deep inside a target and then exploding. Experts consider it to be the best shot at getting through Iran's hardened tunnels. Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, told Metro that the depth of some of Iran's nuclear facilities is 'beyond the current capability and reach of Israeli missiles'. He said: 'We are expecting to witness a sustained attack over the coming days and weeks. 'At the moment, the only nation that possesses the weapons, which can actually effectively reach uh the depths of these bunkers remains the US.' With no clear path to destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructures, questions are now being asked about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu' intent. Was the politician banking more on dragging Donald Trump into the war than to neutralize Iranian capabilities? Or did Israel actually miscalculate the depth of the underground tunnels, following false intelligence? In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out several Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations. Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran programme at the conservative Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD), said: 'The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating. 'But there are still questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear programme.' The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported no damage at Fordo, a uranium enrichment plant south of Tehran. Unlike the Natanz and Isfahan sites in central Iran, it is buried underground, beyond the reach of Israeli bombs. 'All eyes will be on Fordo, which is buried under about 300 feet of rock in central Iran,' Taleblu said. More Trending Currently, all eyes have turned to Whiteman Air Force Base, where the only aircraft capable of deploying the bunker buster – the US B-2 Bomber, are based. With their long-range capabilities, they are able to fly all the way from the US to the Middle East for bombing runs. Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defence for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stressed that multiple bombs will likely be needed to pierce Fordo's walls. He added: 'They're not going to just be one and done.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Iran's leader warns US that strikes will 'result in irreparable damage for them' MORE: Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice as Israel and Iran trade attacks MORE: Trump urges for 'everyone to leave Tehran' after broadcaster bombed live on air
Metro
4 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Revealed: Bunker buster bomb that is the reason why Iran wants US to join war
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israel unleashed operation 'Rising Lion', dropping missile after missile on Iranian nuclear sites – despite not possessing the warhead up to the task to destroy them. America's 30,000-pound precision-guided bomb is the only one that could penetrate the web of underground bunkers where Iran is carrying out its nuclear programme. The GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – known as bunker buster – is capable of penetrating 200 feet deep inside a target and then exploding. Experts consider it to be the best shot at getting through Iran's hardened tunnels. Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, told Metro that the depth of some of Iran's nuclear facilities is 'beyond the current capability and reach of Israeli missiles'. He said: 'We are expecting to witness a sustained attack over the coming days and weeks. 'At the moment, the only nation that possesses the weapons, which can actually effectively reach uh the depths of these bunkers remains the US.' With no clear path to destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructures, questions are now being asked about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu' intent. Was the politician banking more on dragging Donald Trump into the war than to neutralize Iranian capabilities? Or did Israel actually miscalculate the depth of the underground tunnels, following false intelligence? In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out several Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations. Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran programme at the conservative Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD), said: 'The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating. 'But there are still questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear programme.' The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported no damage at Fordo, a uranium enrichment plant south of Tehran. Unlike the Natanz and Isfahan sites in central Iran, it is buried underground, beyond the reach of Israeli bombs. 'All eyes will be on Fordo, which is buried under about 300 feet of rock in central Iran,' Taleblu said. More Trending Currently, all eyes have turned to Whiteman Air Force Base, where the only aircraft capable of deploying the bunker buster – the US B-2 Bomber, are based. With their long-range capabilities, they are able to fly all the way from the US to the Middle East for bombing runs. Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defence for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stressed that multiple bombs will likely be needed to pierce Fordo's walls. He added: 'They're not going to just be one and done.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Iran's leader warns US that strikes will 'result in irreparable damage for them' MORE: Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice as Israel and Iran trade attacks MORE: Trump urges for 'everyone to leave Tehran' after broadcaster bombed live on air
Metro
6 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Why Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz could be catastrophic for the world
As fighting between Israel and Iran is boiling over, the most strategic oil chokepoint in the world – the Strait of Hormuz – is in the spotlight. Concerns have been raised about just how disruptive the war could be for the steady flow of Gulf oil shipments to Europe, the US and Asia. Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, warned that shutting it could cause a bigger market turmoil than the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Covid-19. He told Metro that the price of oil could jump from the current $71.77 to as much as $120 per barrel in a 'worst-case scenario'. 'Iran has a very well-established naval base in the city of Bandar Abbas and it has a strong naval capability,' Lakhani explained. 'So whether they decide to pull that lever… is something we are concerned about and are watching very closely.' About a fifth of the world's oil is transited through the shipping lane, which splits Iran on one side and Oman and the UAE on the other, and links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. Tankers collecting from various ports on the Persian Gulf must go through Hormuz. The strait – between 35 to 60 miles wide – has been at the heart of regional tensions for decades, but the threat from Iran to shut it has only escalated the fears. Islamic Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari told local media that closing Hormuz 'is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination.' He said: 'Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response.' As a major chokepoint, the operation of Hormuz is critical to global energy security. The inability of any oil to transit – even temporarily – can create substantial supply delays and raise shipping costs, increasing world energy prices. Although most chokepoints can be bypassed by using other routes, which often add significantly to transit time, some have no alternatives. Lakhani stressed that Kowsari's threat 'should be taken seriously', judging by the US repositioning of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier along with several support tankers to bolster the military in the region. Iran's threat to shut Homruz comes as a vessel crashed into two ships sailing nearby, 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the UAE. The Emirati national guard said it evacuated 24 people from an oil tanker after the collision. More Trending The crude oil tanker, ADALYNN, was bound for Egypt's Suez Canal when the crash in the Gulf of Oman happened. British maritime security firm Ambrey has said the cause of the incident is 'not security-related'. Naval sources cited by Reuters warned that electronic interference with commercial ship navigation systems has surged in recent days around the strait and the wider Gulf, which is having an impact on vessels. Maritime ship experts say shipowners are increasingly wary of using the waterway, with some ships having tightened security and others canceling routes there. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trump urges for 'everyone to leave Tehran' after broadcaster bombed live on air MORE: Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice MORE: Three ways latest Middle East crisis could make life more expensive in the UK
eNCA
31-05-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Is vaping healthier than smoking?
JOHANNESBURG - On 31 May 2025 marks World No Tobacco Day. The day aims to raise awareness of the harmful tactics employed by the tobacco industry. Experts are saying that despite widespread health warnings, many individuals continue smoking. They say the nicotine industry is now targeting younger people with flavoured vaping products, which are misleadingly promoted as being less harmful. According to International SOS's Global Health Advisor for Clinical Governance, Dr. Chris van Straten, the risks associated with smoking and vaping are the same, hence neither should be encouraged.
