WSJ Reports Tankers Hit Outside Strait of Hormuz at the Port of Fujairah; Potential Disruption to Key UAE Export Hub

The Wall Street Journal has reported concerns among tanker operators following strikes on vessels near the Port of Fujairah, raising alarms about the widening scope of attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Social media commentary, including a post by Mario Nawfal, highlighted that Iranian missiles reportedly struck two oil tankers, leading to claims that the […]

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Goldman Sachs: New Pipelines Could Divert 45% of Strait of Hormuz Oil by 2027 and 60% by 2028 — Iran’s Oil Leverage Nears Irrelevance

The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint carrying roughly 20% of global oil trade (around 20–21 million barrels per day pre-disruptions), is rapidly losing its stranglehold. According to Goldman Sachs analyst Alexandra Paulus, pipeline projects across the Gulf are on track to divert up to 45% of pre-war Persian Gulf oil exports […]

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President Trump Meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Over Oil Deals, New Pipeline, and Reduced U.S. Military Footprint

In a significant development for U.S.-Iraq energy relations, President Donald Trump hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on July 14, 2026. The meeting focused on deepening strategic ties, advancing major oil and gas investments, and discussing infrastructure projects—including a revived pipeline that could bypass the volatile Strait of Hormuz. Trump also […]

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Brent Crude Surges Above $86 as Iran Strikes UAE Tankers in Hormuz, Russian Oil Infrastructure Takes More Hits, and Chokepoint Risks Mount

The Refining Capacity Shortage and Demand Destruction Quest Brent crude oil prices surged more than 3% today, breaking above $86 per barrel (reaching $86.06 in early London trading). This extends a sharp ~12% rally since Friday, driven by escalating geopolitical risks across key oil chokepoints and infrastructure. The immediate spark came from Iranian cruise missile […]

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Axios Confirms Cuba Has Acquired Over 300 Military Drones from Iran and Russia: Implications for Regional Energy Security

In May 2026, Axios reported on classified U.S. intelligence indicating that Cuba has acquired more than 300 military attack drones from Russia and Iran since 2023. The drones are stored at strategic locations across the island, with Cuban officials recently seeking additional units and equipment from Russia. This development, amplified in recent social media discussions, […]

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Trump Says US Will Be Reimbursed 20% Rate for Hormuz Traffic

President Donald Trump announced today that the United States would reinstate a blockade on Iranian ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz while demanding a 20% reimbursement on all other cargo shipped through the critical waterway. Trump declared the US would become the waterway’s “GUARDIAN,” positioning the move as reimbursement for security costs amid heightened US-Iran […]

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Net Zero and Power Problems

David Blackmon, Dr. Tammy Nemeth and Stu Turley have way too much fun today. 1. Canadian Pipeline Proposals The hosts discuss two major pipeline initiatives: Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion: A third pipeline is being added to the existing route with government and private partnerships, including undisclosed Indigenous partners. It’s facing environmental litigation over port dredging. […]

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China Tells Refiners to Keep Fuel Output High as the Iran and Ukraine Wars Drag On

Beijing has directed at least two major Chinese refineries to maintain or even increase processing rates to ensure adequate domestic supplies of gasoline, diesel, and other fuels. This comes amid renewed threats to crude shipments through the Persian Gulf tied to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg […]

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