The regional standoff, sparked by Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, has pushed the Strait of Hormuz to a near-standstill. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, signaled a hardline stance on social media, declaring that the time for one-sided agreements has ended. The IRGC maintains that stability will only return to the shipping lane if U.S. military operations cease immediately.

Market volatility surged early Monday, with oil prices climbing and equities retreating as investors brace for potential long-term supply constraints. Ship-tracking data reveals a sharp decline in activity, with vessels increasingly resorting to "dark-mode" transits to avoid detection. Analysts at ING warn that the current bottleneck is already tightening supply forecasts for the third quarter, stoking fears that prolonged instability could trigger a fresh round of global inflationary pressure.