LNG Tanker Explodes on a Mine in Hormuz, Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Sites, Iran Demands Compensation
The conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, running for more than eight months in the Middle East, has reached a new crossroads. On one side, US President Donald Trump is hinting that the military phase of the war is effectively over; on the other, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and reciprocal military activity continue.
Although Trump has hinted in recent remarks that the military phase is effectively over, he has not eased the pressure on Iran. The US naval blockade of the country’s ports remains in place. Washington’s position is that the pressure will continue until Iran’s military capability and its path to regional influence are limited.
Iran, too, has made several demands, including lifting the blockade, lifting sanctions, returning seized assets and war compensation. But no final framework for an understanding between the two sides has yet been created. Although Qatar and several other countries are playing a role in diplomatic contacts, progress in the talks is uncertain.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important routes for world energy trade, is again at the centre of tension. On November 13, the navy of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed that a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas was hit by a mine laid in the sea route and exploded. Iran claimed the ship was using an unauthorised and dangerous route. Details of the ship’s identity and the condition of its crew were not known.
According to Reuters, at least 10 ships were attacked in the first 10 days of November alone. In October, the number of such attacks was 37, the highest in a single month since the conflict began. About one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, so disruption to security on this route affects the energy markets of Asia and Europe as well as the Gulf countries.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has highlighted another major impact of the military conflict. He claims that US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s energy installations released a total of 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
According to a report by Türkiye’s state media, Anadolu Agency, Pezeshkian gave the figures in a speech at the UN climate conference COP31, held in Türkiye. He said attacks on energy installations in the Asaluyeh area of southern Iran released 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, while attacks on fuel storage facilities near Tehran released a further one million tonnes.
Pezeshkian said Israel attacked an oil storage facility in Tehran on March 7 and energy installations in the Asaluyeh area on March 18. He also raised attacks on Iran’s protected natural areas and the offices of environmental rangers. At the same time, he condemned Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Calling for international accountability, Pezeshkian said international organisations should document the environmental damage caused by US-Israeli military operations in Iran and Gaza. He also stressed restoring the damaged environment and ensuring compensation.
The spread of the conflict is now also drawing fresh attention towards Yemen and Saudi Arabia. On November 12, Yemen’s Houthi group claimed it had attacked a pumping station on Saudi Arabia’s east-west oil pipeline and an energy installation in Yanbu. It also claimed to have targeted a Saudi Aramco facility in Riyadh. Saudi authorities said two drones were intercepted. However, not all the details of the attacks could be independently verified.
Earlier, Saudi authorities had also said they intercepted two ballistic missiles fired towards the Mecca region. Debris from the missiles fell in that region. The Houthis did not claim responsibility for that latest incident. In Yemen’s civil war, a Saudi-led coalition has been conducting operations against the Houthis since 2015. Although the conflict was largely stalled after the UN-backed truce of 2022, tension has risen again this year. Saudi Arabia is now calling on the European Union to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.
The effect has also been seen in energy markets. A Reuters report on Friday (November 13) showed that, even after a big price fall the previous week, Brent crude was around $95 a barrel. News of attacks on Saudi energy installations and the risk to shipping in Hormuz increased uncertainty in the market, although rising US energy stocks and weak demand were also affecting prices.
Amid the war, uncertainty also continues in Israeli politics. In the October 27 elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition lost its parliamentary majority. On November 8, President Isaac Herzog then tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. He was initially given 28 days, which may be extended by a further 14 days if needed. Although the new parliament began its session on November 10, Eisenkot has not yet secured a certain majority to form a government.
