Iran is unwilling to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz while under sustained US-Israeli attacks, according to a person involved in high-level contacts, as strikes on energy infrastructure and officials intensify. The conflict has stalled shipping through the chokepoint, which handles about a fifth of global oil and LNG flows, and dampened European efforts to secure maritime passage. Officials across Europe and the Middle East see no clear exit strategy and warn of prolonged economic disrupt

2026-03-21

Iran is unwilling to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz while under sustained US-Israeli attacks, according to a person involved in high-level contacts, as strikes on energy infrastructure and officials intensify. The conflict has stalled shipping through the chokepoint, which handles about a fifth of global oil and LNG flows, and dampened European efforts to secure maritime passage. Officials across Europe and the Middle East see no clear exit strategy and warn of prolonged economic disruption. The European Central Bank said extended disruption could lift euro-zone inflation to 6.3% and trigger a recession.