The conflict between Israel and Iran stretched into a fourth consecutive day on Monday, rattling global energy markets and placing the maritime industry on edge. While Israeli airstrikes have so far avoided directly targeting Iran’s crude oil infrastructure, a reported explosion at a natural gas plant near the massive South Pars field over the weekend has escalated concerns of broader regional destabilisation, while Iran has claimed it has successfully hit the Israeli port city of Haifa.
The spectre of a widening war in the oil-rich Middle East—which accounts for nearly a third of global crude flows—has driven energy prices and tanker freight rates sharply higher, as shipowners, traders, and insurers weigh the growing risks of operating in the region.
Amid the intensifying conflict, maritime authorities have flagged significant electronic interference affecting commercial vessels across the Middle East. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC)—part of the US-led Combined Maritime Forces—confirmed Saturday that ships operating near the Persian Gulf and eastern Mediterranean have reported false positioning signals and severe GPS jamming.
A now-familiar circular spoofing pattern was observed off the coast of Haifa, a result of distorted GPS signals, according to data reviewed by commercial tracking platforms. The JMIC has urged ship operators to closely monitor navigation systems and prepare alternate communication and positioning methods to avoid incidents at sea.
Although Iran’s oil export terminals have not yet been hit, analysts remain focused on the potential for Iran to retaliate by disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery through which about 20m barrels per day of crude and products transit.
While a full closure of Hormuz is seen as unlikely and logistically unsustainable, a partial disruption through harassment, seizure, or limited attacks on ships remains plausible. Shipbroker Gibson warned that even minor disturbances could shrink the pool of shipowners willing to transit the strait, driving freight rates higher and potentially shifting demand to Atlantic Basin crude and other safer load zones.
There is growing concern that Iran may activate proxy forces to expand the conflict beyond the gulf. Maritime security analysts are warning that the Houthi rebels in Yemen, whose naval capabilities have been targeted by US strikes earlier this year, may resume attacks on Red Sea shipping in a show of support for Tehran. UK-flagged vessels were issued warnings Friday against transiting the southern Red Sea.
ظهرت إشارة عدد كبير من السفن على شكل دائرة قبالة ميناء حيفا نتيجة التشويش المستمر على نظام GPS شرق المتوسط#ship #port #sea #marine #gps #shipping pic.twitter.com/C4t0D55eX6
