Threat to oil tankers in Middle East worst since start of Iran war, analysts say
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted to historic lows due to escalating regional conflict. Attacks on alternative routes in the Red Sea by Houthi forces have further increased risks to global energy supply chains.
Why it matters
Disruptions in these critical maritime chokepoints threaten global oil prices and energy security.
Image source, Getty Images By Alex Daniel Business reporter Published 3 August 2026 The threat to ships carrying oil in the Middle East is at its worst since the Iran war started, experts have said, after a spate of attacks on another key route in the region.
The warning comes after a number of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, an alternative waterway that some tankers had been using since Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has denied Donald Trump's claim that it was in talks with the US over reopening the strait, but said it was speaking to Oman about securing the shipping lane.
"In terms of threat to the trade of crude, we're at the worst period that we've been in since this since this crisis began," said Matthew Wright, an analyst at ship-tracking firm Kpler.
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