A Singapore-flagged container ship has sunk after being struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Singaporean authorities. All 21 crew members of GFS Pride were evacuated and no injuries were reported after the attack on Tuesday, which caused damage and a fire, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said. Another Singapore-flagged container vessel, GFS Giselle, sustained hull damage after being hit by a projectile on Wednesday but was able to reach a safe anchorage with all 22 crew, it added. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a ship hit naval mines and sank while passing through what they called an unauthorised route in the Strait of Hormuz. The Guards released photos that appeared to show a plume of black smoke rising from a container vessel that was still afloat but down by the stern.

Is the war entering a new phase? Until US President Donald Trump reversed the thrust of his sanctions policy of Russian oil on Friday, Ukraine's Western allies had been ramping up the use of international law. Countries sanctioning Russian oil have for the first time enforced boarding and inspection rights under the Law of the Sea this year, experts told Al Jazeera. Some Russian officials believe worse is to come. "Western countries are trying to organise the interception of our vessels. London and Brussels are drawing up plans to blockade the Baltic Sea and the straits leading into it. Other key shipping routes are also under threat," Russian Maritime Board chairman Nikolai Patrushev told officials during a visit to China on October 12.

Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia's oil exports took another blow last week when drone attacks knocked out part of the country's East-West pipeline, halting oil flow and removing 4-5 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from global supply. It is unclear how long repairs will take, although The Associated Press estimates three to five weeks, citing two regional officials. The 1,200km (746-mile) pipeline connects the kingdom's main oil-producing fields in the east of the country with Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast in the west, allowing Saudi crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely remained closed since the United States-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. As the world's second-largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia's ability to keep crude flowing has significant consequences for global energy markets.

Global energy prices have spiked alarmingly again, driven largely in recent days by the escalating conflict between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia causing chaos for the oil industry. Petrol and diesel costs have risen rapidly in most countries while the wholesale price of natural gas - used for heating homes and generating electricity - has almost doubled in the UK and Europe since July. There are growing concerns of another inflationary shock on the world economy, which could cause interest rates to rise, increase mortgage costs and raise the price of almost everything in the shops including food. So what is behind this latest surge - and what are the implications for the world economy? The global oil price is currently above $108 (£80) per barrel, up from $70 (£52) in June 2026 - a roughly 50% increase.

Despite pressure mounting for a clear way out of the war, meaningful negotiations between the U.S. and Iran remain stalled. Here’s what each side has said regarding the status of peace talks, and how experts predict Iranian officials could use the Houthis’ disruption in the Red Sea to their benefit.

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Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline, a 1,200km (746-mile) conduit stretching across the Arabian Peninsula, after it was attacked by drones on Friday. The drones were reported to have been launched from Iraq, where an investigation is under way. No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes so far. It is understood that equipment used to operate the pipeline was also hit.

Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack. Riyadh says the attack originated in Iraq. The pipeline allowed Riyadh to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

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