Category: Geopolitical

Iraq Suspends Crude Loading at All Export Terminals, Impacting ~4 Million Barrels per Day – Incident at Basra Terminals in the Persian Gulf, Not a Strait of Hormuz Closure

Clark Savage414

Iraq has suspended crude oil loading operations at all its southern export terminals following a drone incident at the Basra (Basrah) terminal complex in the Persian Gulf. The move affects a significant portion of the country’s exports, which normally average around 3.3–3.6 million barrels per day (bpd) via these facilities (with some market commentary citing […]

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All of Russia’s Major Refineries Now Within Reach: Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Triggers Deepening Energy Crisis

Clark Savage574

A pivotal shift occurred overnight on July 14–15, 2026. Ukraine struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery in Bashkortostan — previously Russia’s last major untouched gasoline production facility — along with the Afipsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai. Drones traveled over 1,500 km to hit primary processing units at Salavat, igniting fires and knocking out its full […]

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How is the rebalancing of the oil market handling Russia’s degraded refining capacity, and sanctioned dark fleet?

Clark Savage341

ENB Pub Note: This article originally ran on RHG Phoenix’s site by Randy Green. We will be visiting with them on the podcast soon.   The global oil market is navigating a complex rebalancing act amid geopolitical disruptions, sanctions evasion, and shifting supply dynamics. As of mid-July 2026, Brent crude trades in the low-to-mid $80s per […]

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

Clark Savage549

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

Clark Savage429

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

Clark Savage419

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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The Iran War Turns Regional: Tanker Attacks, Naval Blockades, Drone Strikes, and Surging Oil Prices

Clark Savage430

The conflict involving Iran has rapidly expanded beyond direct U.S.-Iran clashes into a broader regional war, with proxy actions, naval disruptions, and threats spanning the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Yemen, and even the Caribbean. Oil prices are climbing on heightened supply risks, with Brent crude recently trading around $83–85 per barrel amid fresh attacks […]

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

Clark Savage736

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

Clark Savage401

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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