Brent Tops $90 as Tanker Hit in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions — Is “Higher for Longer” Here to Stay?

Oil markets are back on edge. Brent crude has surged above $90 per barrel for the first time in weeks, driven by a fresh attack on a Kuwaiti tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. Early Tuesday (July 21, 2026), the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported […]

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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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Iranian Official Says Hormuz to Reopen with New Toll Regime – Would Somebody Tell the Trump Administration They May Not Be Talking with the “Right” People?

In a statement that underscores the deepening fog of miscommunication between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, told Russia’s Izvestia newspaper that the Strait of Hormuz will ultimately reopen — but only under new conditions set jointly by Iran and Oman, including transit fees for “services” provided in the waterway. “Of course, […]

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Iran is Finalizing Strait of Hormuz Traffic Management Plan – President Trump is not the same page and where do we go from here?

Iran is pushing ahead with legislation to formalize its “management and sovereignty” over the Strait of Hormuz, including provisions for shipping security, navigation and environmental fees, and a regional development fund — moves widely interpreted as establishing a toll-like system and de facto control. A senior Iranian lawmaker, Alireza Salimi, stated that only Iran and […]

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Iran Peace Deal Pending President Trump Approval – And it was not approved by the IRGC

Energy News Beat – May 28, 2026 U.S. and Iranian negotiators have hammered out a tentative 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend a fragile ceasefire and kick-start talks on Iran’s nuclear program — but the deal still needs final sign-off from President Donald Trump. According to Axios reporting, the framework aims to reopen the […]

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Are the Abraham Accords the Key to Keeping the Iranian IRGC Under Control?

In the shadow of ongoing tensions with Iran, threats to the Strait of Hormuz, and high-stakes negotiations, President Donald Trump’s administration is actively pushing to expand the Abraham Accords. Recent statements tie potential deals with Tehran directly to broader normalization between Israel and additional Arab and Muslim-majority countries — including key Gulf states. The strategy […]

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QatarEnergy’s Third LNG Tanker Exits the Strait of Hormuz Amid Fragile Diplomacy and Iranian Oversight

In a notable development signaling cautious thawing in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, the Qatari LNG tanker Al Sahla is transiting the Strait of Hormuz today, heading directly to China’s Tianjin LNG terminal. Expected to arrive around June 14 with a cargo capacity of approximately 211,842 cubic meters, this marks the third […]

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Iran Creates a Persian Gulf Control Zone Including the UAE Exit Ports

In a significant escalation of its maritime posture, Iran has formally established a “controlled maritime zone” in the Strait of Hormuz through its newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). The authority—widely understood to operate under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—has published an official map and set up a social media presence to assert […]

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