Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz is back in the headlines as U.S.-Iran tensions flare, with strikes and shipping curbs around its southern maritime front. Largest Iranian island, about 1,500 sq km.
Iran has escalated attacks on Gulf desalination plants amid ongoing conflict, damaging facilities in Bahrain and Iran. These plants are vital for regional water supply, and their targeting raises concerns over humanitarian and environmental consequences. The conflict continues to threaten critical infrastructure across the region.
Amid rising tensions, US officials discuss the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export terminal, to weaken Iran’s economy. Iran warns of retaliation, and recent threats suggest escalation could impact global oil supplies and regional stability. The situation remains highly volatile as US and Iran exchange warnings.
Iran has imposed tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, violating international maritime law and escalating tensions in the region. Despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, Iran controls passage through the strait via a permissions-based system, charging up to $2 million per vessel. The closure has disrupted global oil and fertilizer supplies, with hundreds of ships stranded and trade volumes down over 90%.
Since mid-April the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and Iran has been firing on and seizing ships; only a tiny fraction of pre-war traffic is transiting the Strait of Hormuz, dozens of tankers are stuck in the Gulf and recent U.S. actions have redirected or intercepted multiple Iranian-flagged vessels.
Oil prices have risen as Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates fuel tension in the Gulf, with Brent trading above $110 and WTI around $105 amid ongoing ceasefire dynamics and US-Iran interactions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command has intercepted Iranian missiles, drones and small boats during three U.S. Navy ships’ transit of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington says it has targeted Iranian facilities and eliminated inbound threats in what it calls self-defense. Iran confirms strikes on targets at Qeshm island and other sites; Tehran reports explosions and air defenses activation.