TOKYO, September 13. /TASS/. Voyage times for deliveries of Saudi oil to Asia would increase 2.5-fold to around 100 days round trip if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is closed, according to data from the Japanese Shipowners' Association cited by the Asahi newspaper. A voyage through the Strait of Hormuz, the traditional route for oil supplies from the Middle East to Asia, previously took 40 days round trip. A route through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which could serve as an alternative, takes roughly the same amount of time, between 40 and 50 days. However, a route via the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope, which would become necessary if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is closed following the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, would take around 100 days round trip. This would inevitably lead to higher transportation costs, Asahi noted. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked due to the US conflict with Iran, which has been ongoing since February 28.
TOKYO, September 13. /TASS/. Voyage times for deliveries of Saudi oil to Asia would increase 2.5-fold to around 100 days round trip if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is closed, according to data from the Japanese Shipowners' Association cited by the Asahi newspaper. A voyage through th…
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Al Jazeera Arabic reported that the Houthi movement captured Perim Island, asserting that this move solidified their control over a critical oil shipping lane. This account remains a single-source claim and has not yet been independently verified by other international media outlets or official statements.
During the U.S. maritime blockade from April to mid-June, authorities report that over 140 vessels were redirected and nine were disabled near the Strait. These figures, which appear to relate to a specific U.S. initiative, should be independently verified.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is structured into five main branches, including the Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, Quds Force, and Basij, under a command hierarchy that reports to the Supreme Leader. Reports indicate the organization maintains a substantial economic portfolio, estimated by some analyses to represent 20-40% of Iran’s economy, while also wielding significant political influence.
Recent developments since February 2026 suggest ongoing adjustments to its operational structure in response to heightened security threats.
UNHCR estimates the Afghan national population in Iran at 4.4 million as of January 2026, encompassing both registered and unregistered refugees. Reports indicate this group may face compounded risks due to factors such as pre-existing socioeconomic marginalization, insecure legal status, and limited access to services alongside exposure to displacement.