• China vehemently rejects President Donald Trump’s threat of an “economic D-Day” against Iran, asserting that sanctions do not “fit the interest of any party.” Earlier this week, Trump vowed economic consequences against countries continuing to do business with Tehran, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Beijing to “get with the program.” This escalation follows a significant rise in shipping volume through the Strait of Hormuz, with the number of ships crossing the waterway reaching 27% – a substantial increase compared to pre-war levels, though still only 20% of the average. The US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that “oil is flowing” through the waterway, despite ongoing uncertainty regarding the Iran-US relationship. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the US would exert more financial pressure on Iran as a deal to end the war remains at an impasse. Trump did not offer further details about the economic operation or its scope. The president also asserted that economic consequences would be imposed on any “country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran.” Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said the “situation” with Iran “was so good,” signaling a potential shift in strategy. He responded to a question about potential sanctions by saying, “We have things that we could sanction. We have very draconian sanctions, and we’ll see what happens.” Traffic on the Strait of Hormuz remained relatively subdued this week, despite US Energy Secretary Chris Wright noting that oil is flowing through the waterway. A CNN analysis reveals that 103 ships entered and 89 left the Strait of Hormuz, representing a 27% increase in the past week, a figure only 20% of the seven-day pre-war average. The number of ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz has increased significantly, reaching 27% in the past week, according to a CNN analysis of figures from the UK Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO), which recorded 103 entering and 89 leaving. This represents a 20% increase of the pre-war average of 7 days, and the waterway remains a focal point of the Iran-US conflict. Notably, the number of ships originating from Panama (7) and Liberia (6) has increased, with none from the United States. Most vessels were flagged from Panama and Liberia, with the most common type of vessel traveling through the strait being the product tanker, which typically transports refined petroleum products. The US Navy is gaining ground in the strait, while Iran is losing much of its control, with over 80% of liquids transiting over the past two weeks through the Omani route – a UN-authorized shipping channel that Iran vehemently opposes. A two-month window for peace talks expired without a clear path to end the US war with Iran, and global oil prices have continued to rise, with traffic through Middle Eastern waterways muted. The US Navy has been actively involved in securing the Strait of Hormuz, with the deployment of more than 15 million barrels of oil and products out of the strait and another five million via pipelines. For now, the evidence indicates the US Navy is gaining ground while Iran loses much of its control, with more than 80% of liquids transiting over the past two weeks through the Omani route. A recap of the week’s events highlights the US Navy’s increased presence and Iran’s diminished control, with significant quantities of liquids moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The four risky options vessels must choose from if they want to transit the strategic waterway are: China, Iran, the United States, and Panama. This week, the US Navy helped ship more than 15 million barrels of oil and products out of the strait and another five million via pipelines, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on X. This week, a two-month window for peace talks expired without a clear path to end the US war with Iran. Global oil prices have continued to rise, and traffic through Middle East waterways remains muted. Trump reiterated Wednesday that the “situation” with Iran “was so good,” signaling a potential shift in strategy. The article further details the implications of these events, including the potential for increased geopolitical instability in the region and the ongoing impact on global oil markets. The article concludes by highlighting the US Navy’s efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz and the challenges faced by Iran in maintaining its control over the vital waterway.”, 14 paragraphs” ,
Source: CNN
