Iran announced a new "exclusion zone" in the Strait of Hormuz, significantly increasing tensions in the strategic region. This threat comes at a time of great geopolitical instability in the Middle East, a region through which a considerable part of the world's oil supply passes.
As a direct consequence of this situation, oil prices soared and are approaching 100 dollars per barrel, generating concern in international energy markets. Simultaneously, merchant ships began looking for alternative routes to avoid the area in question, fearing possible restrictions or conflicts in navigation through the strait.
