The United States has launched military strikes against Iranian targets, marking a sharp escalation in regional hostilities that now directly threatens global energy supply chains.
The operation follows a series of attacks by Iran on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to declare an end to the existing ceasefire.
In response, Tehran has announced the closure of the strait, effectively blocking one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The simultaneous military action and route closure create immediate headwinds for global trade and energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil consumption; any sustained disruption risks triggering severe volatility in crude prices and freight rates.
Traders are likely to price in heightened risk premiums for Middle Eastern crude and increased insurance costs for vessels operating in the region.