The tensions surrounding Iran and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz once again highlight how fragile the security of energy supplies from the Persian Gulf is. According to Bloomberg, as reported by TASS, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is reportedly using a so-called "shadow transit" system. According to these reports, tankers are transiting the Strait of Hormuz with their transponders turned off, in order to limit tracking of their routes and to allow the continued export of oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas, even during periods of heightened regional tension.

Bloomberg reports that vessels linked to the logistics operator Navig8 and the Chinese chemical group Wanhua Chemical Group are involved in these shipments. After passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the cargo is reportedly being transferred to other ships in the areas of the ports of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Sohar in Oman, or is being directed directly to Indian ports. Other producers in the Middle East, who are dependent on chartered tankers and the willingness of shipowners to take risks, are facing the same problem.

At the same time, diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran are continuing. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Delhi that the United States wants to give diplomacy a chance, but if an agreement with Iran is not reached, they will seek other options. He emphasized that, in his view, President Donald Trump is "not rushing" and does not want to accept a bad deal. Reuters reported that Rubio spoke of an effort to reach a "good deal," otherwise Washington will have to address the situation "in a different way."

Israel is also becoming involved in the broader diplomatic game. According to the Axios website, Trump, during a conference call with representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, urged countries that do not yet have relations with Israel to consider normalizing relations as part of the Abraham Accords, should a conflict with Iran be resolved. Axios reported that the representatives from Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were reportedly surprised by this call.

The entire situation connects three key areas: the security of maritime traffic through the Hormuz Strait, the future of U.S.-Iranian negotiations, and Washington's efforts to expand the normalization process between Israel and Muslim countries. The outcome could have a direct impact not only on the Middle East, but also on oil prices, LNG, and the stability of global markets.

gnews.cz - GH