The shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is not smooth, and the risk of energy supply has increased.

As the war in the Middle East continues, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy passage, remains turbulent. The UK Maritime Trade Operations, a maritime monitoring agency, stated that since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, it has received a total of 13 reports of attacks on shipping.

During a phone interview with US media on the afternoon of the 9th, US President Trump said, "We are considering taking over the Strait of Hormuz." On the 10th, Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, strongly responded on social media, saying, "The Strait of Hormuz will either be a strait of peace and prosperity for all or a strait of failure and pain for warmongers." The US commander-in-chief stated, "The US Navy will provide escort for oil tankers when necessary."

According to The New York Times, at least three vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters on the 11th. Among them was the Thai bulk carrier "Ma Yuri Nari," which was attacked near the Omani coast. Iran stated that the ship was attacked because it ignored warnings and emphasized that "any vessel attempting to pass through the strait must obtain permission from Iran." The Greek cargo ship "Star Gwyneth" and the Japanese container ship "Supreme One" were attacked in the Persian Gulf. There are currently no reports of casualties. Previously, the US military claimed that they had attacked 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, but the authenticity of this claim is unknown.

Under normal circumstances, approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas are transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, Iran has cut off a significant number of shipping routes, leading to an increase in international oil prices. Member countries of the International Energy Agency have agreed to release about 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves to calm the market. This is the largest emergency reserve release in history. Among them, Japan, Germany, and Austria have announced that they will use part of their national energy reserves. (China Daily)