The group has not explicitly declared attacks on vessels transiting the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, but analysts note it possesses the capability to do so. Tehran has moved to formalise that control, granting passage to a select few, including ships linked to Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia. Iran had previously rejected the framework publicly and submitted counter-terms that included preserving its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The Washington Post reported, citing US officials, that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations inside Iran. Russian crude, meanwhile, reached its highest level in approximately four years as Moscow benefited from the global oil price rally driven by the Iran war.

Source: Daily News Egypt March 30, 2026 19:55 UTC