In this Week 18 recap of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Sal Mercogliano breaks down a week of “red cards,” maritime disruptions, and unravelling propaganda. From the July 4th shipping halt to the debunking of Iranian claims about the grounded ship Arista, we look at why the global shipping market is sitting on a dangerous precipice.
Key highlights in this episode:
⚓The “Red Card” Mystery: President Trump talks FIFA and Iran, while underscoring the real-world tensions in the Strait...and on the pitch.
⚓July 4th Disruption: Analysis of the aborted convoy attempt and why traffic suddenly turned around on Independence Day.
⚓Propaganda Debunked: Step-by-step proof that the Iranian story regarding the grounded ship Arista is complete BS.
⚓Global Energy Impact: Why record-low oil storage levels mean even a small “wrench in the works” could cause a massive price spike.
⚓The Human Cost: An update on the 8,000 seafarers still stranded and the resurgence of piracy off the coast of Yemen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzo4tW1NMYU
08JUL2026: From the Caribbean to Hormuz: The Global Conflict No One is Seeing.
The world's oceans are witnessing a level of conflict not seen in decades. In this episode of What's Going on With Shipping?, we analyze the rapid escalation of maritime warfare across three key regions: the Caribbean, the Black Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz. From the U.S. Southern Command's strikes on narco-vessels to Ukraine's massive drone offensive against the Russian fleet, and the latest Iranian attacks on commercial tankers, we break down why these “out of sight” events have a habit of triggering global crises.
Key Highlights:
⚓Caribbean Operations: A look at Operation Southern Spear and the controversial 66 strikes against suspected narco-terrorist boats.
⚓Black Sea Offensive: Analyzing Ukraine's strike on 21 Russian ships within 72 hours and the shift toward targeting bridge and accommodation areas.
⚓Hormuz Crisis: The breakdown of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire after three commercial tankers were struck by Iranian UAVs and projectiles.
⚓Historical Context: Why maritime incidents—from unrestricted submarine warfare to tanker wars—historically lead to major global declarations of war.
⚓The “Fainting Goat” Effect: How the fear of predators in the shipping lanes causes global trade to lock up and freeze in place.