Iran has increased its oil exports by blocking the Strait of Hormuz to its competitors
The daily volume of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026 had fallen by nearly 23 times compared to February before the war.
According to Bloomberg, about 80% of the tankers currently transporting raw materials out of the Persian Gulf are Iranian or belong to countries friendly to Iran. Despite constant bombing by the U.S. and Israel, which has been ongoing since March 1, Tehran has effectively become the main financial beneficiary of the war due to its control over the strategic sea route.
Iran’s average daily oil exports this month rose by 8% compared to last year’s figure, reaching 1.8 million barrels. This was facilitated by the easing of U.S. sanctions, although China remains the primary destination for Iranian oil shipments. The situation in the region has allowed Iran to increase its fuel exports while simultaneously blocking export opportunities for other countries in the region. Kpler analysts confirm that monopolizing traffic in the strait allows Iran to maintain stable financial revenues amid a large-scale armed conflict.
Israel has resumed bombing the southern suburbs of Beirut and continues airstrikes in southern Lebanon. One of the strikes hit an army checkpoint, killing a soldier.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also warned that any attempts to destabilize the country will be decisively stopped. The authorities are prepared to act decisively, including through arrests and the seizure of weapons. Aoun emphasized that no one in Lebanon wants a civil war, and those who try to take advantage of the situation will fail.
Iran has left the country without stable internet access for the second month in a row. The country’s authorities continue to block access to all social media platforms and many websites, leaving citizens with almost no online connectivity.
Today, the United Arab Emirates reported the successful interception of 27 drones and 11 ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
A military analyst warns that a possible U.S. attack on Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil hub, could result in serious losses. The expert believes that Iranian forces are ready to fight back, and diplomatic attempts to negotiate peace now appear premature. The island controls 90% of Tehran’s oil exports, and its defenses have been strengthened in recent weeks.
Iran has accused Israel of attacks on a desalination plant in Kuwait. In a statement, the Iranian military called Israel’s actions “brutal and despicable.”
Spain has banned U.S. military aircraft participating in strikes against Iran from using its airspace. The decision also applies to access to joint bases.
