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deals as Iran war drains stockpilesApple challenges UK order for access to encrypted iCloud dataFBI warns of cyberattacks on US municipal water systemsChina displays hypersonic missiles and AI strike planningRussian expert claims capture of 600 square kilometres in JulyChina holds coast guard drills at disputed shoal as Manila hardens toneAI chip build-out drives debt and rising valuationsChina and India resume border trade at Nathu LaWhite House gathers AI firms on voluntary security testingChina targets half of power from non-fossil sources by 2030Moscow restaurant blast appears to have targeted Russian generalDeath toll rises to 17 after peace rally bombing in PakistanErlangen clinicians report remissions with CAR-T therapyPoor countries adjust HIV programmes after US funding cutsIsrael blows up tunnels in south Lebanon during negotiationsColdcard wallet flaw used to steal more than 1,300 bitcoinBarzani meets Syria's president on first Damascus visit since Assad's fallUkrainian strikes deepen damage to Russian retail and oil tradeSurvivors reach port after deadly Indonesian ferry fireJapan's prime minister tours Kumamoto as heat slows recoveryChina tightens protection of chip designsBelgium relied entirely on Russian LNG in JulyUS escalates Cuba restrictions, citing security threatCartel members burn Michoacán town after leader's arrestAmazon crosses $3 trillion in market valueTwo die in US cyclospora outbreak linked to imported lettuceNo deal yet on Patriot production in Ukraine, US envoy saysUS manufacturing expands at fastest pace since 2022Palestinian Americans report surge in settler attacks in Turmus AyyaDrone strike hits Turkish cargo ship in Black SeaUS to close five foreign missions, including in Canada and JapanMan dies at New Jersey ICE centre in 22nd custody deathIndia's education minister resigns after NEET protestsUS adds 43 Chinese firms to forced-labour blacklist
Bota
Symbolic image: Tankers reroute around Hormuz as Iran says Oman deal alone will not reopen straitSymbolic image

Tankers reroute around Hormuz as Iran says Oman deal alone will not reopen strait

4 sources

US Central Command says 35 commercial ships have been rerouted at the blockaded Strait of Hormuz as of Sunday. Iran's Foreign Ministry says a route agreement with Oman alone will not reopen the waterway.

What happened

  • CENTCOM said on Monday, 3 August, that it had also disabled two commercial ships and boarded two others during the blockade.
  • UAE exports through the strait fell nearly 53 percent in July to 950,000 barrels per day, from 2.01 million in June.
  • Ship crossings averaged 18.7 a day in July, down from 24.7 in June, according to data firm Kpler.
  • Combined loadings from the eight Gulf exporters averaged 4 million bpd in July, against a prewar 19 to 20 million.
  • OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise September output quotas by a further 188,000 bpd.

The view from outside

The German daily FAZ notes that physical fuel supply in Europe has held despite an IEA warning in April that jet fuel stocks would last only about six weeks; Slovenia was the rare case of state-capped sales volumes, aimed at cross-border tank tourism.

What could happen next

  • Trump said US-Iran talks on a peace agreement would begin on Monday, and that any deal must include immediate reopening of the strait.
  • Unclear whether the Iran-Oman route agreement is concluded, and who would guarantee safe passage through the strait.
  • OPEC+ increases stay largely on paper: Saudi Arabia pumped 7.34 million bpd in June, nearly 3 million below its quota.
  • FAZ asks whether acute supply shortages could still hit Europe in the coming months.
How the camps see it
  • Iran: Tehran says the strait is closed because of US and Israeli aggression, not any dispute with Muscat, and calls a route deal necessary but not sufficient.

  • United States: Washington keeps its naval blockade of Iranian ports running and says a peace agreement must include the immediate reopening of the strait and the end of Iran's nuclear programme.

Also involved

OmanGulf exporters

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