maritime security

Background of the Situation

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, has faced severe disruption due to escalating conflict involving Iran, the US, and its allies. This route typically handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption highly impactful on global trade.

Iran’s Announcement

Iran stated that vessels classified as “non-hostile” are now allowed to transit through the strait. However, ships must:

1. Incident Overview

On 29 September 2025, a missile attack occurred near the Gulf of Aden, targeting the Dutch-flagged vessel Minervagracht, operated by Spliethoff.
According to reports, the vessel was hit by a cruise missile, which Yemen’s Houthi forces later claimed responsibility for.