Gulf states reach a grim conclusion: Iran will control Hormuz
World press headlines: Gulf states realize Iran is expected to gain control over Hormuz but prefer this to continued fighting; a new low in Israel-Spain relations; and the severe mental health crisis in Iran.
About world press headlines
Against the backdrop of the constantly evolving security situation, the lens of the world media reveals unique perspectives on events in Israel. We present a daily review of what is written in the international media to decipher how things look from overseas.
The articles are taken from major newspapers and do not necessarily reflect the worldview of Globes.
1. Gulf states fear the renewal of war
Energy exporters in the Persian Gulf are reaching a grim conclusion: Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz will become a fait accompli.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran's rivals in the Gulf are unhappy with the emerging agreement to open the shipping lane, which grants Tehran official inspection powers. However, sources in the Gulf clarify that the region sees this as a "necessary evil" preferable to further military escalation between the USA and Iran, which would directly endanger energy infrastructure.
"Gulf officials appear to have come to terms with the new reality," the report states. Any future arrangement with Tehran will likely leave its missile program and support for regional militias intact. The major threat is the continuation of the conflict, which would drive away foreign investors and deal a fatal blow to the economy.
Talks have reached a dead end, with Tehran demanding financial relief and a ban on American and Israeli warships. Washington refuses to approve an agreement that would allow Iran to thwart freedom of navigation. Amid the deadlock, Brent crude is trading around $90 a barrel.
According to Kpler, crude oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to about 2.2 million barrels per day last week, compared to 8.5 million last month and 20 million before the campaign. Global oil inventories have shrunk by over 400 million barrels in six months, leaving the market with no safety cushion for new shocks.
2. Conspiracy theories as a weapon in Israel-Spain conflict
An acute migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has led to an escalation in accusations between Spain and Israel, reports The Telegraph. The crisis has sparked conspiracy theories claiming that Israel and US President Donald Trump encouraged the event.
The mass migration began after at least 72,000 people tried to cross from Morocco into Spanish territory. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Spain, suggesting it should explain its colonial enclaves in Africa before criticizing Israel. Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente hinted at Israel's involvement, a claim echoed by other politicians citing an old 2019 tweet by Yair Netanyahu.
According to The Telegraph, the conflict over Ceuta symbolizes a deepening rift between Israel and Europe. Spain has been a leader in measures against Israel, including recognizing a Palestinian state and calling to suspend the EU-Israel partnership agreement, which manages about 45 billion euros in annual trade.
3. "Nightmarish reality": Mental health crisis in Tehran
A report in The Times reveals how fighting, sanctions, and violent oppression have led to a mental and economic collapse in Iran. Citizens report existential anxiety, a shortage of psychiatric drugs, and a surge in suicide rates.
Hamiel Yagkoubi, head of the Scientific Association for Suicide Prevention in Iran, warned in May that depression could peak due to the war's psychological impact. Nurses in Tehran report a sharp rise in suicides among those under 25. Dr. Seyed Vahid Shariat, president of the Iranian Psychiatric Association, warned that rising drug prices and stock shortages create "serious concerns regarding patients' access to vital treatments."
Many citizens feel abandoned by the international community. "A war that was not intended to overthrow the regime only brings harm to ordinary people," says Yasmin, a woman injured during protests. Others, having witnessed public executions, express a desperate hope that the conflict will eventually lead to the destruction of the regime, regardless of the personal cost.
