Middle East conflict strains global shipping and energy after six months

Six months after joint US and Israeli air strikes hit Iranian infrastructure, the conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets and maritime shipping without an immediate resolution. Although Iran's conventional military capabilities have suffered extensive damage, Tehran maintains tactical leverage over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

According to analysts cited by Radio Free Europe, the trajectory of the confrontation hinges on four main factors: the durability of Iran's economic resilience under sanctions, proxy operations, domestic political developments, and whether diplomatic channels can be re-established. Meanwhile, diplomatic analyst Zef Mazi linked these Middle Eastern tensions to shifting global power dynamics, noting how localized issues, such as regional water disputes in the Western Balkans, intersect with broader geopolitical rivalries involving the United States, China, Russia, and Iran.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha