Latest news with #Iran-affiliated
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Drones strike three oil fields in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region
Two drones attacked the DNO ASA-operated Peshkabir field around 6am local time, the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism in Kurdistan said in a statement Bloomberg By Khalid Al-Ansary and Rakteem Katakey Three oil fields in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq were attacked by drones on Wednesday, adding to a spate of hits on energy installations in the area this week. Two drones attacked the DNO ASA-operated Peshkabir field around 6am local time, the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism in Kurdistan said in a statement. Another drone hit the Tawke project about an hour later, it said. A third attack was reported at a field in Ain Sifni in the north, the Kurdistan Ministry of Natural Resources said, adding the strikes caused significant damage to infrastructure. The Kurdistan region hasn't been shipping any crude to global markets since an export pipeline to Turkey's Mediterranean coast was shut over two years ago following a payments dispute. The vast majority of Iraq's oil production comes from the country's south. Attacks on energy infrastructure aren't uncommon in the north, which the Kurdistan administration often links on Iran-affiliated groups. No one has claimed responsibility for the latest spree. On Tuesday, the Sarsang field operated by US firm HKN Energy was shut after a strike caused an explosion and fire, while another project called Khurmala was targeted by two drones earlier. The US embassy in Iraq condemned the attacks in a statement on Tuesday. The Sarsang field pumped about 30,000 barrels a day of oil on average in the first quarter, according to Canadian producer ShaMaran Petroleum Corp., which has a minority stake in the project. It wasn't immediately clear how much crude the Khurmala field was producing.
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran-linked hackers may target US firms and critical infrastructure, US government warns
A US government advisory has warned against Iran-affiliated hacktivists targeting US firms and critical infrastructure operators. PHOTO: REUTERS Iran-linked hackers may target US firms and critical infrastructure, US government warns WASHINGTON - Iranian-affilited hackers may target US companies and critical infrastructure operators, particularly defence organisations with holdings or relationships with Israeli research and defence firms, according to an advisory from US government officials June 30. The FBI, National Security Agency, the Department of Defence Cyber Crime Centre (DC3) and the Department of Homeland Security's civilian cybersecurity defence wing said in a statement issued alongside the advisory that while there are no indications of a coordinated Iranian-linked malicious cyber campaign so far, organisations should ensure their defences are up to date. "Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity," the agencies said in the advisory. Cybersecurity researchers and defenders in Israel and the US have so far seen little Iranian-linked cyber activity of consequence in the wake of the war launched by Israel June 13, followed by US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22. Iranian state-sponsored hackers are known to exploit existing vulnerabilities in unpatched or outdated software and compromise internet-connected accounts and devices that use default or weak passwords, as well as work with ransomware operators to encrypt, steal and leak sensitive information, the agencies said June 30. In November 2023, hackers said by the US government to be affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards hacked equipment located in water and wastewater treatment systems in multiple states. The attacks targeted an Israeli-made device and came shortly after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
How Trump's Iran Attacks Could Help Putin
Russia's oil exports, which fund Vladimir Putin's war machine, could get a boost in the aftermath of the U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear sites if Tehran makes good on its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, energy experts have told Newsweek. Oil prices have surged and Iran, a key oil producer, has warned it could retaliate to the strikes by the U.S. and Israel by closing the world's most strategic transit point for the commodity connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iranian officials have threatened to mine the strait and as such U.S. military officials are preparing a plan for such a closure which could choke off a quarter of the world's oil supply and a fifth of its liquefied natural gas, according to The New York Times. But this move may reverse months of declining Russian oil revenue, allowing Moscow to continue to finance its war against Ukraine. "Russia could emerge as a beneficiary if Iran were to close the Strait of Hormuz," Nikos Tzabouras, senior market analyst at told Newsweek on Monday. Revenues from fossil fuels are the core of Russia's fiscal has been steadily decreasing and in May they over a third lower than for the same month last year. But spiking oil prices after Israel and then the U.S. targeted the nuclear facilities of Iran, a key producer of the commodity, could deliver a boon for Russian revenues. The U.S. attacks may also take away global attention from Putin's aggression for the time being and lead to strikes by Iran and its proxies on American military interests in the Middle East, which could play into Russia's hands. Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer for the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), told Newsweek it is unclear how Iran will respond but the threat to commercial shipping in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula "has gone up yet another notch." Larsen said Iran might attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships via antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface type. The laying of sea mines would be another dangerous development, but Iran's intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged, Larsen added. On Monday, West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose to just under $74 a barrel, a 0.2 percent gain, less than the nearly 4 percent spike seen Sunday evening. Brent crude rose 0.8 percent on Monday to $77.62 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate climbed by the same margin to $74.42 in early trading with prices going as high as $81 over the weekend before settling down. Tzabouras, from told Newsweek the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even for a limited period, could trigger a surge in oil prices, potentially pushing them above $100 per barrel. Russia could get a boost from such a move and even though it's not easy to determine the impact on volumes, higher oil prices from such action would boost Russia's revenues. "This, in turn, could enable Moscow to continue funding the war in Ukraine and resist growing international pressure to end the hostilities," Tzabouras added. Russell Shor, senior market analyst at said a blockade could increase Russia's revenue from its 7.5 million bpd (barrel per day) exports, which bypass the strait via Suez or Pacific routes. Asian markets, like China and India, might also favor Russian oil in such a scenario. However, Iran relies on the strait for its own oil exports, and closure risks alienating allies like China. The U.S. Fifth Fleet would likely intervene, escalating tensions and so Iran might choose targeted disruptions over a full blockade to pressure the West, he added. Trump referred to the impact on oil prices that his strikes might cause with a post on Truth Social in which he said "everyone, keep oil prices down." Larsen said that as well as a blockade, there are many other risks posed to the region such as Tehran's proxies, the Houthis who may attack in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden merchant ships with affiliations to Israel or the U.S, with strikes against merchant ships with other affiliations also possible. BIMCO recommends merchant ships in the area to avoid the Iranian coast and maintain contact with naval forces in the area through U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Nikos Tzabouras, senior market analyst at Tradu, told Newsweek on Monday: "Russia could emerge as a beneficiary if Iran were to close the Strait of Hormuz." President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Monday: "EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!" Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer for the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), told Newsweek: "It can't be ruled out that Iran will attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through comprehensive attacks on merchant ships by for example antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface type." As The New York Times reported, U.S. officials have raised the need to prepare for the closure of the Strait. Meanwhile, military officials and analysts said missile and drone attacks are the biggest retaliatory threat by Tehran to U.S. bases and facilities in the region. Related Articles Some of Donald Trump's Biggest Critics Defend His Iran StrikesQatar Closes Airspace Amid Fears of Iranian Retaliation Against USSenator Says War Powers Resolution Against Trump Will Have GOP SupportTrump Responds to Putin Ally's Iran Nuclear Threat 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
CNBC
22-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Threat to commercial shipping around Arabian Peninsula is rising, largest global shipowners organization warns
The world's largest direct-membership organization for shipowners, charterers, shipbrokers, and agents is warning that while it is still unclear how Iran will respond to Saturday's U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the threat to commercial shipping in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula has risen. "The Houthi threat against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has also gone up," said Jakob Larsen, head of security at Bimco, which represents global shipowners. "The Houthis now threaten merchant ships with affiliation to Israel or the U.S., but attacks against merchant ships with other affiliations cannot be ruled out." Larsen said it is expected that U.S. warships and merchant ships affiliated with Israel or the U.S. would be the preferred targets for the Iranians. Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel's largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder "Robbie" Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media. Bimco's Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said. "The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran's intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged," said Larsen. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is recognized as one of the world's most important oil chokepoints. The inability of oil to traverse through the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, can ratchet up global energy prices, raise shipping costs and create significant supply delays. In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. "Given the Iranian threat to U.S. military bases in the region, availability of warships for protection of commercial shipping is probably limited, especially for commercial ships with no affiliation to the U.S. or Israel," Larsen said. The Strait of Hormuz handles less than 4% of global container trade but the ports of Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan are critical intermediary points for global shipping networks in the region. The majority of cargo volumes from those ports are destined for Dubai, which has become a hub for the movement of freight with feeder services in the Persian Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa. The conflict in the region has also sparked ocean freight rates to surge from Shanghai to the Arabian Gulf's largest port, Jebel Ali. Freight intelligence firm Xeneta said average spot rates have increased 55% month-over-month, prior to the conflict escalation between Israel and Iran. Rates are now $2,761 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), a standard unit for measuring the capacity of container ships and volume of cargo. On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers' (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%. The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas. Marsh McLennan, the world's largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%. In light of the latest wave of defense measures, Bimco is encouraging shipowners to review their security risk assessments and carefully consider mitigation measures. "Merchant ships in the area should consider reducing their exposure to threats from Iran, for example, by routing away from the Iranian coast," said Larsen. "We also recommend that ships maintain close contact to naval forces in the area through UK Maritime Trade Operations, maintain strong vigilance and increased lookout, report suspicious sightings and events to UKMTO, and increase the resilience of ships to absorb damage by ensuring watertight integrity and readiness of damage control organization including firefighting capability." "Bimco never directly recommends shipowners to completely stay away from a conflict area. Such a decision should be taken by the shipowner, taking into consideration all relevant factors of the security risk assessment, including, for example, the threat, the ship's vulnerabilities, and the risk acceptance level of seafarers, the shipowner, and the cargo owner."
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Israel increasingly isolated as relentless attacks on Gaza continue
Trump didn't include Israel in negotiations for the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, whom Israel had failed to liberate though he had been held by Hamas in Gaza for more than 580 days; on top of that, for the first time the US dealt with Hamas directly. (A new step, since the US designates the group as a terrorist organisation.) Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference in five months to deny any rift with Washington. But he signalled that he was prepared to lift the blockade on the entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, ' to ensure our good friends support us '. Netanyahu also added two new war aims: a long-term Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of the population 'in accordance with the Trump plan'. Months ago, Trump proposed the US would move out Gaza's civilians and redevelop the strip into a 'Riviera of the Middle East'. Little has been heard of that since, but it has emboldened extremists on Israel's right, including Netanyahu's ultranationalist finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich whose goal is to return Jewish settlers to Gaza. Smotrich held his own press conference two days before Netanyahu. Explaining his new support for allowing food into Gaza, Smotrich said the quiet part out loud. 'Humanitarian aid is only being allowed in so the world does not stop us and accuse us of war crimes.' He said the food delivered would be the bare minimum. Loading Smotrich said the 'most important thing' was that the food aid would not stop Israel's military operation in Gaza. 'We are conquering, clearing and staying until Hamas is destroyed. We are dismantling Gaza, leaving it in ruins with unprecedented destruction, and the world hasn't stopped us.' Trucks carrying food aid are entering Gaza, though there is confusion about the numbers. It was reported that 93 trucks had entered in one day last week. Israeli sources say the number was 388 for the whole week. But aid agencies say that so far, few more than 100 trucks have reached their destinations, and hundreds more are needed daily. When I was reporting from Jerusalem in 2024, food aid was intermittent, but even when aid trucks were entering Gaza, it was difficult to ensure the food reached Gaza's civilians. There were instances when Hamas, and the Iran-affiliated militant group Islamic Jihad, stole stores of donated food and medicines, and were seen on video doing so. They then reportedly sold what they did not use themselves to the starving population. Israeli officials say Hamas could end the war tomorrow by releasing the hostages and giving up its rule in Gaza. While international pressure is being ramped up on Israel, for the first time, Hamas is experiencing pressure – from the street. For weeks, Gazan civilians have been protesting against the Islamist group. Hamas has responded brutally, including beating, torturing and killing some protest leaders. Still, the demonstrations continue. People who have lost so much now don't want to be controlled by Israel – or Hamas.
