Threat to oil tankers in Middle East worst since start of Iran war, analysts say
Oil tankers in the Middle East face their highest threat levels since the start of the Iran war, following attacks in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping traffic has plummeted as vessels attempt to avoid conflict zones, disrupting global energy supply routes.
Why it matters
The disruption of these critical maritime chokepoints poses a significant risk to global energy security and oil prices.
Image source, Getty Images By Alex Daniel Business reporter Published 3 August 2026, 16:42 BST Updated 18 minutes ago 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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