By Abbas Al Lawati (Bloomberg) --Saudi Arabia joined a U.S.-led coalition to secure sea lines vital to oil shipping in the Middle East in the aftermath of a devastating attacks on Aramco’s oil facilities. The International Maritime Security Construct’s area of operation covers the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical waterway for oil supplies, the Strait of Bab … [Read more...]
Iran Rejects U.S. Claim it was Behind Saudi Oil Strikes
By Rania El Gamal and Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Iran dismissed accusations by the United States that it was behind attacks on Saudi oil plants that risk disrupting global energy supplies and warned on Sunday that U.S. bases and aircraft carriers in the region were in range of its missiles. Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for Saturday's attacks that … [Read more...]
Middle East Shipping Stabilized by UK Navy, Says Fleet Commander
By Jonathan Saul LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Britain's decision to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz has helped to stabilize commercial shipping through the critical chokepoint weeks after Iran seized a UK-flagged tanker in the region, a top British navy official said on Thursday. The UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero was detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the … [Read more...]
Union Designates Strait of Hormuz a Temporary Extended Risk Zone
The International Transport Workers Federation has designated the Strait of Hormuz a Temporary Extended Risk Zone following recent tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman, including Iran's seizure last month of the Stena Impero. The strait received the designation following discussions by the International Bargaining Forum's Warlike Operations Areas Committee taking place over … [Read more...]
British Frigates Heads for Tanker Escort Mission in Persian Gulf
LONDON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - British warship HMS Kent set sail for the Gulf on Monday to join a U.S.-led mission protecting commercial shipping vessels in the region amid heightened political tension between the West and Iran. Britain has joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant vessels. That comes after Iran seized a British … [Read more...]