Hormuz Shipping Crisis Deepens Amid Iran Restrictions, Regional Missile Attacks

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the wider West Asia conflict continued to escalate on Saturday as attacks, military deployments, and humanitarian concerns intensified across the region, according to multiple international news agency reports.

Iran has effectively restricted passage through the strategic waterway since early March following the launch of joint attacks by the United States (US) and Israel on Feb 28, which triggering retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran and raising concerns over global energy supplies, shipping routes, and regional security.

Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if cargo transactions are conducted in Chinese yuan, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing CNN.

The potential move comes as disruptions to the vital waterway – which carries about 20 million barrels of oil daily and roughly 20 per cent of global liquefied natural gas trade – have pushed global oil prices higher and raised concerns over energy supply stability.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said naval escorts for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz could begin “soon” as tensions remain high.

Anadolu reported that Washington is considering deploying US Navy vessels to protect commercial shipping through the waterway, which has faced disruptions since Iran imposed restrictions on passage.

Trump also said US forces had destroyed all military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, Tehran’s main oil export hub that handles about 90 to 95 per cent of the country’s crude exports.

Iran, however, said the strikes caused no damage to oil facilities and warned that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes against US facilities in the region.

The conflict has also begun affecting oil infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states.

Anadolu Ajansi reported that some oil loading operations at the UAE’s Port of Fujairah were suspended after a drone attack caused a fire, following the interception of an aerial target by air defences.

Bahrain said it had intercepted and destroyed 124 missiles and 203 drones since Feb 28 during what it described as “Iranian attacks” targeting the kingdom.

The Bahrain Defence Force said its air defence systems have been responding to successive waves of missile and drone assaults since late February.

In Qatar, the Defence Ministry said it intercepted a missile targeting the country while authorities evacuated “specified areas” as a temporary precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

Military deployments in the region are also increasing.

Kyodo News reported that the US military has begun moving more than 2,000 Marines from Japan to West Asia, including the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship Tripoli.

The redeployment, which reduces US forces stationed in the Indo-Pacific, comes as Iran intensifies attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and as Washington vows to expand military operations against Tehran, according to the report.

Iran, however, said it does not intend to open a new front with neighbouring Muslim countries despite ongoing hostilities with the US and Israel.

Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported that Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said Tehran considers regional countries as partners and does not seek conflict with them.

He warned, however, that Iran would respond if attacks were launched from military bases in neighbouring countries, reiterating Tehran’s earlier warnings communicated through diplomatic channels.

The conflict is also widening across the region.

Anadolu Ajansi reported that at least 23 people, including 12 medical personnel, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Saturday as Israel expanded operations following attacks by Hezbollah.

The United Nations (UN) said more than 822,000 people in Lebanon, including nearly 300,000 children, have been displaced by the ongoing Israeli bombardment, with about 28,000 currently sheltering in collective sites across the country.

Humanitarian operations are also under pressure elsewhere in the region.

Anadolu reported the UN saying nearly all aid movements through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza were denied over the past two days, severely limiting the delivery of essential supplies.

The UN has also warned that restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could significantly disrupt humanitarian supply chains worldwide, affecting aid delivery and increasing global shipping costs.

Amid the escalating tensions, the US has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Oman due to safety risks linked to the conflict.

European forces are also adjusting their deployments.

The German Press Agency (dpa) reported that Italy is preparing to withdraw troops stationed near Erbil in northern Iraq following a drone attack on an Italian military base.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has offered a reward of up to US$10 million for information leading to the identification or location of key Iranian leaders, including Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

In the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia said exports to West Asia continue despite rising freight costs caused by shipping disruptions linked to regional tensions, according to a report by Indonesia’s ANTARA News Agency.

Vietnam, meanwhile, said its embassies across West Asia stand ready to assist citizens of ASEAN countries facing emergencies amid the escalating conflict, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

-- BERNAMA