The United States forces began their ninth consecutive night strike against Iran on a weekly basis, targeting Iranian military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz. With the prolonged fighting, a slowdown in shipping in the Straits and high oil prices, the regional situation has again become the focus of the global energy market.

Holmuze traffic dropped to almost three weeks low.

According to the United States Central Command, a new round of strikes began at 19 hours United States Eastern Time, with the aim of reducing Iran ' s ability to launch attacks on merchant ships in transit. The Strait of Hormuz, which was responsible for some 20 per cent of global oil transport before the conflict, has now become the core of the war.

According to the shipping intelligence service, Kpler, traffic in the Straits of Hormuz fell to almost three weeks ' minimum after a new round of hostilities. Last Thursday there were only 8 ships through, down from 15 the previous day. As a result of the escalation, Brent crude oil futures rose by almost 3 per cent to approximately US$ 90.7 per barrel; WTI crude oil futures increased by 2.5 per cent to about US$ 84.6.

  • Brent crude oil is estimated at $90.7 per barrel.
  • WTI crude oil estimate US$ 84.6 per barrel
  • Hormuz dropped to eight last Thursday.

Casualties on both sides continue to increase

On Sunday, United States forces indicated that another United States soldier had died in the recent fighting with Iran and that the remains of the former soldiers had been found in Jordan. So this war, which lasted almost five months, has resulted in the deaths of 17 Americans.

For its part, Iran claims that at least 50 people have died and more than 500 have been injured since the United States resumed strikes this month. As both sides expanded their attacks in the region, the fear of a new and comprehensive escalation of the conflict rose.

Multinational security pressure in the Gulf is rising.

The United States military strike has recently been extended to cover part of the civilian infrastructure. Reports mention that about 10,000 people were cut off from water following an attack on a desalination plant in Iran. At the same time, Tehran has engaged in reprisals in the Gulf region, targeting neighbouring countries such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait.

The United States Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, indicated on Monday that information available indicated that Iran might launch an attack on an unspecified location in the centre of Manama and reminded local United States citizens of their vigilance.

United States officials stressed, for their part, that the Strait of Hormuz was not completely disrupted. According to United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Sunday, about two thirds of the current traffic from the first two years of conflict is still passing through this important route, amounting to about 14 million barrels per day. Prior to the conflict, the waterway transported about 20 million barrels of crude oil and finished oil daily.