Only three commodity vessels crossed Strait of Hormuz on Thursday Only three commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thurday, a record low since May, Reuters reported. According to Reuters, most ships were redirected or stopped due to the US' resumed blockade on the Strait. The reported added that global energy prices have risen due to the lack of traffic passing through the Strait.
Head of International Energy Agency says oil security remains a 'critical issue' The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said on Thursday that if the US and Iran do not unite to improve flows of oil through the vital Strait of Hormuz, the world should soon be concerned about energy security. "Oil security is still a critical issue," Birol told a Council on Foreign Relations event. "We should be worried, and I am worried if the situation does not improve in the next few weeks.
'Textbook infringement': Palestine advocacy groups sue for immediate halt to Trump's ICC sanctions Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 18:41 The executive order not only sanctioned the court's judges but also threatened anyone liaising with it US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands behind President Donald Trump as he speaks to the media at the end of his participation in the Nato leaders summit in Ankara, Turkey, on 8 July 2026 (Yves Herman/Reuters) Off Advocates for Palestinian rights in the US filed a lawsuit in a New York City federal court on Wednesday, seeking an injunction to stop the Trump administration's enforcement of sanctions against groups or individuals liaising with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn), founded by the late Middle East Eye columnist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide (Taag), said they felt compelled to immediately go to court after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an opinion piece earlier this week that the US is willing to dismantle the ICC "brick by brick". In the early weeks of his presidency, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14203 , granting US officials the power to impose sanctions on foreigners for supporting the ICC's investigations into US and Israeli nationals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
China's oil imports plunge 40 percent, keeping a lid on energy prices Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:30 China's oil imports plunged to a near decade low in June A general view of the crude oil refinery, Sinopec Jinling Petrochemical Plant, in Nanjing, China, in the eastern Jiangsu province, on 8 May 2026 (Hector Retamal/AFP) Off China’s crude oil imports in June hit their lowest level in a decade, marking a major plunge that has helped keep energy prices contained amid escalating fighting between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese customs data released on Tuesday said crude imports hit 29. 27 million tonnes year to year, marking a 41 percent drop.
UK politicians call for sanctions on Israel as Starmer's Gaza legacy slammed Over 80 British MPs and lords have called on their government to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel , as a collection of charities slammed outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer's legacy on Palestine . In a letter to the UK ’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, the politicians urge the government to act “in line with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israel”. This Sunday, 19 July, will mark two years since the ICJ found that Israel’s decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories was “unlawful”, and that its “near-complete separation” of people in the occupied West Bank breached international laws concerning “racial segregation” and “apartheid”.
UK politicians call for sanctions on Israel as Starmer's Gaza legacy slammed Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 14:03 Over 80 MPs and lords write to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, as incoming prime minister Andy Burnham urged to take tougher stance on Israel Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 (Alastair Grant/Pool via Reuters) Off Over 80 British MPs and lords have called on their government to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel , as a collection of charities slammed outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer's legacy on Palestine . In a letter to the UK ’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, the politicians urge the government to act “in line with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israel”. This Sunday, 19 July, will mark two years since the ICJ found that Israel’s decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories was “unlawful”, and that its “near-complete separation” of people in the occupied West Bank breached international laws concerning “racial segregation” and “apartheid”.
Watch: Trump says he will drop Hormuz fee for trade with Gulf states US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US will make trade and investment deals with the Gulf states instead of the 20 percent levy he previously proposed for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “The Gulf states are going to invest a tremendous amount of money into the United States. ” Donald Trump said that the US will make investment deals with the Gulf states instead of the 20 percent levy he previously proposed for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz pic.
Some Gulf states signal they aren't opposed to paying fees in Hormuz, sources say Some Arab Gulf States have suggested to the US and European countries that they are not opposed to paying a fee in the Strait of Hormuz, but reject Iranian control of the waterway, multiple US and regional officials have told Middle East Eye. The difference between the two positions is a nuanced one, officials briefed on the matter told MEE, but it is important as fighting flares between the US and Iran again. US President Donald Trump is also signalling he expects economic compensation for the US providing security in the waterway.
Some Gulf states signal they aren't opposed to paying fees in Hormuz, sources say Submitted by Sean Mathews on Tue, 07/14/2026 - 21:07 Gulf states are more wary of Iranian control in Hormuz than financial payments, as Trump ups his demand for investments Ships are docked along a pier at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Sharjah emirate, along the Gulf of Oman, on 14 July 2026 (AFP) Off Some Arab Gulf States have suggested to the US and European countries that they are not opposed to paying a fee in the Strait of Hormuz, but reject Iranian control of the waterway, multiple US and regional officials have told Middle East Eye. The difference between the two positions is a nuanced one, officials briefed on the matter told MEE, but it is important as fighting flares between the US and Iran again. US President Donald Trump is also signalling he expects economic compensation for the US providing security in the waterway.
US supports efforts by Iraq and Syria to reconstruct oil pipeline The US is supporting efforts by Iraq and Syria to reconstruct a crude oil pipeline running between the two countries, which could bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a State Department official told Reuters on Tuesday. The US expects American companies to play a role in advancing the pipeline's rehabilitation, the official added.
Trump says Iran, Hezbollah might be added to sanctions bill Trump said in comments to reporters at the White House on Tuesday that Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah might be added to the Russia sanctions bill currently under consideration by the US Congress. This comes after renewed tensions between the US and Iran appear to have ended the interim agreement signed by the nations aimed at a cessation of hostilities in the region.
Trump: US investment deals with Gulf states to replace Hormuz fee Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US will take trade and investment deals with the Gulf states instead of the 20 percent levy he previously proposed for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20 percent United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” he stated in a post to Truth Social. This comes only a day after Trump announced the introduction of the fee, writing on the social media platform that “we are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE”, and declaring that the US will be “reimbursed” for its job as the “GUARDIAN OF THE STRAIT”.
Only four ships cross Strait of Hormuz in sharp fall in traffic Only four vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since this morning, marking the lowest level of shipping traffic since the memorandum of understanding was signed on 17 June. Data from the MarineTraffic tracking platform showed that one oil tanker and three container ships made the passage. All four vessels had departed from ports in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
UK opposes US plan to impose Strait of Hormuz tolls The UK government says it is pressing the Trump administration for details of its plan to impose a 20 percent toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Britain opposes the proposed charge and says vessels must be able to use the strategic waterway without paying tolls. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said the government’s “priority is stability and a return to the ceasefire between the US and Iran and we continue to work with our allies to support a long-lasting peace deal”.
Brazil registered zero direct oil exports to Israel in 2025 in victory for boycott campaign Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 07/14/2026 - 12:17 Campaigners hail new figures on direct oil exports but point out more is needed to prevent third party sales Brazilians and Palestinians arrive from Gaza arrive at Brasilia Air Base on 13 November, 2023 (AFP/Evaristo Sa) Off Brazil registered zero direct oil exports to Israel in 2025, with campaigners claiming it as a victory for the boycott campaign. According to the 2026 Statistical Yearbook of the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) released at the end of June, Brazil did not export oil directly to Israel in 2025. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement said the move was a result of pressure applied on the Brazilian government and corporations.
Iran says oil exports ongoing, despite cancellation of US waivers Iran's oil exports are continuing as usual in spite the US cancelling its 60-day waiver of oil sanctions last week, oil minister Mohsen Paknejad said. Paknejad indicated that the country's oil ministry had maintained a framework to neutralise the impact of Washington's sanctions on Tehran for years, adding that the oil exports would face no issues in such circumstances.
US to reimpose Iran blockade on JCPOA anniversary The US says it will reimpose its naval blockade of Iran on Tuesday, on what would have been the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The landmark nuclear deal was finalised in Vienna on 14 July 2015 after being agreed by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US. Under the terms of the deal, Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment programme and pledged not to pursue nuclear weapons.
US citizen found guilty of violating Iran sanctions An American citizen has been found guilty of violating US sanctions on Iran by a federal jury in Boston. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi was charged with conspiring to unlawfully export electronic components to Iran and was also accused by prosecutors of helping an Iranian business associate circumvent US export control laws two years ago. The Massachusetts resident had worked at Analog Devices before his arrest in December 2024.
IMO says Hormuz should remain free of tolls The International Maritime Organisation has called for the Strait of Hormuz to "remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law". "We have always been consistent on our stance on fees. IMO stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation," an IMO spokesperson said.
Hormuz tanker traffic falls to lowest level in two months The number of tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz has fallen over the past 24 hours to its lowest level in two months, as renewed fighting between the US and Iran and attacks on vessels heighten safety concerns. Shipping industry sources said vessels are increasingly switching off their public AIS tracking transponders, making it difficult to determine how many ships are moving. But according to tracking analysis from Kpler, oil and gas tanker traffic fell to its lowest level since 25 May.
