Gulf nations face new war fears while Persian Gulf oil exports rise

Nations across the Persian Gulf are preparing for a possible return to all-out military conflict as fears grow over potential United States and Israeli strikes on Iran. Euronews reported that political instability around upcoming elections in the United States and Israel is driving concerns of a short military campaign to force Iranian concessions. Euronews added that Iranian authorities have pledged a severe response against Gulf states, while the Israeli and Iranian militaries have both been placed on high alert amid a major American military build-up in the region. [1]

Tensions in the region remain elevated alongside military action at sea. According to ABC News, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reported carrying out attacks on four vessels in the Persian Gulf. OilPrice.com reported that Iran claimed to have struck seven ships in the Persian Gulf, contributing to a surge in international crude oil prices. Gulf News reported that the United States has dispatched additional warships to the area following a breakdown in peace talks over Iranian uranium. [7][9][10]

Despite ongoing security threats, regional energy shipments have rebounded significantly. The New York Post reported that Persian Gulf oil exports have surpassed pre-war levels, with daily flows exceeding 24 million barrels despite a record number of Iranian attacks. The South China Morning Post reported that Chinese imports of Gulf oil are expected to approach levels seen before the conflict began. MarketWatch and the Maritime Executive similarly reported that overall petroleum exports from the region have recovered to pre-war numbers. [2][3][4][5][6][8][11]

The current crisis follows joint airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February 2026. The initial attacks killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with other high-ranking Iranian figures. Iran answered those strikes by launching missiles and drones at Israel, American military facilities, and neighboring Arab states, while also shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. As FTMQ News reported earlier, American forces previously disabled a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel attempted to breach a blockading line around Iran. [12][13][15]