Todays updates on the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandab Strait and all ports and anchorages across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.........plus two soldiers have died in Iraq, what might lie ahead for the Bab-el-Mandab Strait and Japan urging Iran to be more flexible
First today, it has been reported that two military personnel, one from the US and one from the UK, have died whilst serving in Iraq. Few details are as yet available but it is thought that both soldiers died during training at an airbase at Irbil. Families of both soldiers are being notified, names will be released in due course.
Sincere condolences go to both families at this difficult time.
The US has been reducing the number of troops countering the Daesh group in Iraq. But American forces have retained a presence in the Kurdish region as the US seeks to strengthen ties with the Kurds.
The US inaugurated a large new consulate compound in December in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, highlighting Washington’s diplomatic and strategic engagement in the area.
More on this :
US and British soldiers die during training in Iraq (Arab News - June 2, 2026)
With the peace talks on a knife edge, threats of escalation in the war with Iran have once again turned towards the Bab-el-Mandab Strait in the Gulf of Aden. The realities of the Iran proxy, the Houthi, blocking the waterway into the Red Sea has rattled shipowners and markets causing oil, oil product and gas prices to spike. The Bab-el-Mandab is arguably as important as the Strait of Hormuz in relation to trade and security in the region.
The concerns were amplified by earlier warnings from Tehran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said last month that any renewed conflict would spread “far beyond the region”, while senior Iranian officials have spoken of opening “new fronts” and using “new tools” should diplomacy fail.
...........The Bab Al Mandab, located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, serves as a gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. It is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying energy supplies and commercial goods between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The waterway has already played a major role in recent regional tensions.
Beginning in late 2023, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement launched attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait and nearby waters, saying the campaign was aimed at supporting Palestinians during the Gaza war.
More on this :
After Hormuz, are Iran and its allies eyeing Bab Al Mandab? (Gulf News - June 2, 2026)
Japan's has been stepping up pressure on Iran to be more flexible in their demands for peaceful end to the war with the US and Israel and to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened in safety. Japan joins many other countries who are experiencing problems in regard to transit of goods out of the Persian Gulf.
More on this :
Japan Urges Iran to Show ‘Maximum Flexibility’ for US Deal (Arab Times - June 1, 2026)
Onto the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandab Strait
Some very odd behaviour in the Strait of Hormuz this morning. A cluster of ships, including the British Flagged containership Ever Ethic (image below) have been clustered far north of their usual anchorage at Khor Fakkan, there are Iranian herders in the vicinity. Would this be a sort of hostage or surety situation, no idea at all...but to move ships into what could be made into an easy target for Iran should negotiations fail completely is a worrying sign. Otherwise in the Strait of Hormuz, it is relatively quiet and no reported incidents at time of writing
The Bab-el-Mandab Strait is busy and flowing well this morning, no incidents reported at time of writing
The ports and anchorages across the persian Gulf from Umm Qasr to Doha is extremely busy this morning. The containership, MSC Sariska, has not altered her position from last night after she was attacked twice. Increased Iranian herders are milling around tween the ships No further attacks reported at time of writing.
Once again the ports and anchorages from Mina Saqr to Jebel Ali are fairly quiet this morning, Das Island anchorage is showing few ships...the caveat being that ships are switching off their AIS as a measure to prevent attack, especially following the attack on MSC Sariska yesterday evening off Umm Qasr. No attacks reported at time of writing.
On the Gulf of Oman, the heavy clusters of ships are are back, especially off Dibba and Al Widyyat. Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Dibba ports are operating. Muscat is very busy once again. No reported attacks at time of writing.
No new updates on any of the injured crews including CMA CGM San Antonio or if anyone was injured aboard MSC Sariska.
That's it for now....more updates tomorrow.