The United States’ multinational naval force said that the commercial navigation movement continues to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite the widespread Israeli attacks on Iran today, Friday, but some ship owners want to avoid the region.
Iran had previously threatened to close the vital Strait of Hormuz in front of the maritime navigation movement in response to Western pressure.
Analysts believed that any closure of the strait can restrict trade and affect global oil prices.
“The Strait of Hormuz is still open and the commercial traffic is ongoing without interruption,” she said, adding that the events that took place today increase the possibility of a regional conflict to a “high probability”.
“We have reports that more ship owners are very careful and prefer to stay away from the Red Sea …” said Jacob Larsen, chief safety and security official at the Pimco Shipping Association.
Larsen added that if the United States is accused of being involved in any attacks, “the risk of escalation will increase greatly, and this escalation may include missile attacks on ships or plant marine mines in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Warnings
Documents seen by Reuters showed that Greece and Britain advised their commercial shipping ships to avoid sailing across the Gulf of Aden and to record all trips through the Strait of Hormuz, after the Israeli attack on Iran.
One of the documents issued today, Friday, indicates that the Greek Shipping Association urged the Greek ship owners to send the details of their ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to the ministry concerned with maritime navigation.
A separate document issued by the British Ministry of Transport also reported that it advises all ships that raise the British flag, including registered in Gibraltar and Bramuda, to avoid sailing across the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
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An official in the European Union’s Red Sea mission (Asbids) confirmed to Reuters that it continues its operations as usual, but is monitoring developments in the region.
Earlier today, Oli Havalbe, an analyst at the SIP, said that the main concern in the oil markets is whether the latest developments will affect the Strait of Hormuz.
He explained that the main waterway was at the risk of being affected by the increasing regional fluctuations in the past, but it has not yet been affected.
He added that there has been no effect on the flow of oil in the region yet.
About five total oil consumption in the world passes through the Strait of Hormuz, or approximately 18 to 19 million barrels per day of oil, condensate and fuel.
Oil prices jumped by about 9% today, Friday, to approach their highest levels in months.
