Shipping security

Strait of Hor

2026-08-26 19:27:24

US allies privately dispute Trump’s claim that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared

US allies have privately assessed that mines likely remain in the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the matter cited in a BlockBeats brief sourced from Jin10. The assessment says the US has made some progress clearing mines in international waters, but an estimated 80 to 150 mines laid by Iran have not all been removed, and some may have drifted from their original positions with ocean currents. That stands in contrast to President Donald Trump’s recent repeated public claims that the mines had all been cleared and that Hormuz was operating normally. US Central Command declined on Wednesday local time to comment on estimates tied to the number of mines in the waterway. The report also said the odds that every mine inside the strait has been cleared are seen as very low. Even with a reduced mine threat, many commercial vessels still remain within range of Iranian drones and short-range missiles, while a large number of ships are outside the coverage of US air defense systems. The International Maritime Organization said it has no confirmed information that mines have been cleared and urged ships to exercise maximum caution.

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US-Iran confl

2026-08-09 14:24:54

Vance says U.S.-Iran conflict has reached the 'middle game' as Tehran sets six conditions for reopening Hormuz

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the conflict between Washington and Tehran is no longer in its opening phase and has moved into what he called the “middle game,” with the White House using diplomatic, economic, and military tools at the same time. According to Xinhua, citing CNN, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine has privately argued that the U.S. needs an “off-ramp” from the Iran campaign, warning that airstrikes alone are unlikely to achieve all of President Donald Trump’s stated objectives while escalation carries clear downsides. The report also said U.S. munitions inventories have come under strain, including THAAD interceptors, Patriot missiles, and Tomahawk cruise missiles. On the Iranian side, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Zolghadr laid out six conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including a military withdrawal, the lifting of all sanctions, and compensation for war losses. Tehran is also in technical talks with Oman over a temporary shipping route, but Iranian officials said that would not amount to a full reopening of the strait.

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Strait of Hor

2026-08-04 23:45:32

US-Iran talks on Hormuz shipping show progress, but no final deal yet

Diplomatic efforts tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz showed signs of progress on Aug. 5, with statements from Iran, Qatar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointing to movement in negotiations. Iranian officials said talks with Oman had made positive technical and political progress, while Qatar said a draft of a possible U.S.-Iran agreement was circulating among parties, though there was still no fixed schedule for direct talks and communication continued through intermediaries. Reports said an arrangement for a full reopening of the strait could be announced within hours or by the next day. At the same time, shipping risks remain elevated. Iraq said tankers carrying its crude had already passed through the waterway, but separate incidents involving an Indian vessel near Hodeidah and the Greek bulk carrier Minoa Pioneer underscored the continuing danger. The U.S. Central Command also disclosed commercial shipping adjustments as the broader regional conflict remained active, with developments involving Iran, the Houthis, Israel and Hezbollah all unfolding in parallel. Oil prices have recently pulled back as expectations for de-escalation increased.

1810

Iran

2026-07-12 06:07:48

Iran says future Strait of Hormuz transit arrangements should be set through talks with Oman

Iran said future transit management arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz should be worked out jointly by Iran and Oman, following talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Muscat on July 11. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said on July 12 that the meeting focused on navigation in the strait and a coordination mechanism for passage management, with legal and technical delegations from both sides taking part. According to Baghaei, the discussions covered maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, respect for the sovereign rights of both countries, and the application of international law. The two sides also reviewed matters related to Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Iran said any future arrangement should take into account developments over recent months, especially U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran and their impact on shipping security in the waterway. Baghaei added that Iran and Oman agreed to continue consultations at the political, legal, and technical levels in an effort to reach a common understanding on shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz. A Qatari government delegation joined part of the discussions.

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crypto scam

2026-07-10 16:39:13

Scammers Impersonate Iranian Authorities, Demand Crypto for Strait Passage

Greek maritime risk firm Marisks warns of scammers posing as Iranian officials, demanding Bitcoin or USDT as 'passage fees' for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz. At least one vessel was fired upon on April 18, possibly linked to the scheme.

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Strait of Hor

2026-07-02 04:20:14

Scammers Target Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz With Fake Bitcoin Transit Fees

Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS warns that fraudsters are impersonating Iranian authorities, demanding Bitcoin or USDT payments from global shipping companies for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. With hundreds of vessels stranded amid US-Iran tensions, at least one ship may have fallen victim. Separately, Iran reportedly plans to require Bitcoin transit fees, raising legal and financial risks. Experts urge caution and verification of any such payment requests.

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