LONDON, United Kingdom — Iranian forces' closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves through global trade, with little sign of a break in the deadlock. The proposed system would create an Iranian-approved "safe corridor" for ships to use, Meade told an online briefing on Thursday. While this offers some movement, Meade warned that "negotiated safe passage... is unlikely to dramatically increase the trickle of tonnage". But the thousands of seafarers on board already face dwindling supplies of fuel and water, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) warned Tuesday. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned on Tuesday that "the Strait of Hormuz won't return to its pre-war status".

Source: Philippine Star March 20, 2026 06:59 UTC