The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis has exposed a critical vulnerability in global energy markets: Iran’s ability to weaponize the narrow waterway through which up to 20–21 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil — roughly one-third of seaborne global trade — and about one-fifth of the world’s LNG normally flow. Following the U.S./Israeli military […]
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Doomberg stops by and drops some truth bombs around the cage. We cover his article for tomorrow and Friday and tee up his book. You can read all of Doomberg’s articles on Doomberg A lateral-thinking approach to energy, finance, and geopolitics | Subscribe below for free previews of new articles | Click through to our […]
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Middle East oil producers are grappling with significant challenges in selling their crude, even as global benchmark prices (Brent and WTI) have surprisingly softened below or near pre-conflict levels. This comes despite a major supply shock from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following the early 2026 Iran conflict (U.S./Israeli strikes on Iran). The market […]
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You won’t want to miss this episode with Jack Prandelli from Switzerland. As an international trader and Substack Author, Jack has been on target with his articles on global oil and Gas Markets. Check out The Merchant’s News : https://themerchantsnews.substack.com/ Follow Jack on X @jackprandelli Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prandelligiacomo/ Add Free for our SubStack Subscribers. 1. LNG […]
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Iran’s renewed military actions in and around the Strait of Hormuz are once again disrupting global shipping and threatening the fragile recovery of oil flows through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. As of late June 2026, strikes by both Iranian and U.S. forces have set back recent gains in tanker traffic, keeping […]
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Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated sharply this week with two reported attacks on commercial vessels, underscoring the vulnerability of one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. On June 25, the Singapore-flagged container ship M/V Ever Lovely (operated by Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine) was struck by what U.S. officials described as an Iranian drone […]
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As tensions flare once again around the Strait of Hormuz—with recent incidents including a vessel struck off Oman’s coast and Iranian Revolutionary Guard warnings—Gulf oil producers are racing to secure alternative export routes. While the strait has historically carried nearly 20% of global seaborne oil trade, Iraq is moving decisively to reduce its vulnerability through […]
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Iraq’s Basra Oil Company has directed operators at the giant West Qurna/2 oilfield to suspend pumping operations entirely and slash output to just 50,000 barrels per day (bpd), effective midnight on June 23. The move comes under an ongoing force majeure declaration, explicitly citing the continued absence of available tankers to lift the crude. This […]
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As U.S. Vice President JD Vance touched down in Switzerland on June 21, 2026, for high-level peace talks with Iranian officials, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked military command announced a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The move cites alleged Israeli violations of a fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon and threatens further disruptions […]
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Iraq is rapidly expanding alternative oil export routes to reduce its heavy dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, aligning with long-standing strategies by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Even as some reports suggest potential easing of disruptions in the waterway, Baghdad is treating diversification as a permanent strategic priority rather than a temporary […]
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