The entire Middle East is once again on the brink. The truce between the United States and Iran was further destabilized on Monday by clashes between the belligerents around the strategic Strait of Hormuz and renewed firing from Iran towards one of its Gulf neighbors, the United Arab Emirates.
This escalation of tensions, which threatens the ceasefire in place since April 8, follows Donald Trump’s announcement of a US military operation aimed at restoring ship traffic in the strait blocked by Iran, through which normally a fifth of the world’s consumption of oil and liquefied natural gas flows. The American president warned, as reported by Fox News, that if they targeted American ships in this area, “the Iranians would be wiped off the face of the Earth.”
Oil prices soar again
These new attacks have reignited market fears, causing oil prices to surge. The Brent barrel, an international benchmark, closed on Monday at $114.44, a 5.8% increase.
The oil site of Fujairah, one of the few accessible in the region without passing through the strait, was targeted by a drone that caused a fire. The UAE also announced being hit by four cruise missiles “launched from Iran.” A tanker from the national oil company Adnoc was also targeted by two Iranian drones. The country denounced “a dangerous escalation,” reserving the right to retaliate.
The Islamic Republic “had no intention of targeting the Emirates,” assured the Iranian state television, citing an unidentified senior officer. This officer denounced the consequences of “American military adventurism,” referring to the operation to block ships in the Gulf by closing Hormuz.
Iran relies on Pakistan’s mediation
According to the head of the US Central Command for the region (Centcom), Brad Cooper, American forces destroyed six Iranian boats and intercepted missiles and drones launched against American military and commercial vessels. Tehran denied that the US destroyed Iranian boats in the strait.
“The events in Hormuz show that there is no military solution to a political crisis,” asserted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X. He urged the US to prioritize Pakistan’s mediation, warning them against the risk of being “dragged into a quagmire.”
Ongoing divergence between US and Iran
Despite a first direct meeting in Islamabad on April 11, significant differences remain between the two countries, and attempts to revive negotiations have so far failed. Tehran indicated on Sunday that they received a response from Washington, which has not been made public, regarding their latest settlement proposal.
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