Despite the unrelenting military confrontation marked by continuous missile and drone exchanges between the United States and Iran, maritime shipping traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz has experienced a notable uptick. Offering a much-needed sigh of relief to the global energy market, international crude oil prices remained stable at around $90 per barrel. According to reports from the region, commercial vessels are gradually resuming transit, even as geopolitical risks, regional retaliations, and strict economic sanctions continue to cast a shadow over international supply chains and diplomatic channels.Increased Ship Movements in Hormuz and Red Sea ChokepointsData indicates that 28 commercial ships successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the highest volume recorded over a two-week period. While the majority of these vessels were LNG tankers—with roughly 60 percent linked to Iran—tensions remain high on the water. The Fars News Agency reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) intercepted two tankers while four others aborted their journeys mid-way. Simultaneously, shipping activity through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea also saw an increase, with 39 vessels passing through compared to 34 the previous day, though many ships continue to sail with their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) disabled to evade Houthi rebel threats.Conflicting Claims Over Air Base Strikes in Kuwait and BahrainThe conflict has increasingly expanded into neighboring territories, with the Iranian military claiming responsibility for a precision missile strike on the Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, retaliating against a US strike on Qeshm Island that claimed three civilian lives. Tehran asserted that the attack inflicted damage on fighter jet hangars, weapons depots, and satellite communication systems. Furthermore, Iran claimed a drone strike targeted Bahrain's Sheikh Isa Air Base. However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) strongly refuted these claims, maintaining that all incoming threats were successfully intercepted and neutralized, leaving assets like the F-35 fighter jets at Jordan's Al-Azraq Air Base completely safe and operational.US Senate Resolution Defeated and New Sanctions Imposed on Indian EntityOn the legislative front in Washington, a high-stakes US Senate resolution attempting to halt military action against Iran was narrowly defeated by a razor-thin margin of 50 to 49. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Ghalibaf warned that the US will face severe consequences for civilian casualties on Qeshm Island. Compounding economic pressures, the US Commerce Department announced sweeping new sanctions against six entities and individuals allegedly tied to Mahan Air and the IRGC. This enforcement action includes India-based Skies Travels and Logistics Private Limited, which had operated as Mahan Air's general sales agent since 2020. Additionally, diplomatic missions confirmed that 44-year-old Nepali national Som Kumar Tamang tragically lost his life in the Kuwait attack, with repatriation efforts currently underway.
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