Strait of Hormuz: Iran Authorizes Limited Transit of 15 Vessels Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict Copy link

US special operations forces have successfully rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran, concluding a high-risk 36-hour mission, according to US officials cited by Axios.

The operation took place in southwest Iran, where US forces raced against units of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to locate and extract the missing officer. With this latest rescue, both crew members have now been recovered.

The pilot was located within hours of the aircraft being downed, while the second crew member remained missing for over a day before being found and evacuated. Officials said both crew members were able to communicate after ejecting from the jet.

The mission involved elite US commandos supported by significant air power. After locating the second crew member, US forces launched a rapid extraction operation as Iranian forces reportedly moved toward the same area.

According to sources, US aircraft carried out strikes to prevent Iranian units from reaching the site. Following the rescue, all American personnel involved were safely withdrawn from Iranian territory.

However, complications arose during the evacuation phase, with two US transport aircraft becoming inoperable at a remote location. Additional planes were deployed to complete the extraction, and the disabled aircraft were destroyed to avoid falling into Iranian hands.

US President Donald Trump and senior officials monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room. During the earlier phase of the mission, an Iranian strike targeted a US Black Hawk helicopter, injuring several personnel, although the aircraft remained operational.

Source: Anadolu Agency (via Axios, The New York Times)

Rabat – Moroccan political and human rights groups have reported a sharp deterioration in the country’s political, social and economic conditions, alongside a significant decline in rights and freedoms, a situation that has deepened the gap between the Moroccan people and the ruling establishment.

In this context, the Federation of the Democratic Left Party warned, in a statement issued at the close of its National Council session held under the slogan “No democracy with repression, and no patriotism without fighting corruption,” of the worsening situation in Morocco. The party stressed that the country is “going through a critical phase marked by the entrenchment of political loyalties within state institutions and the corruption of the political field.”

It further noted that the “absence of accountability and the spread of impunity in cases of embezzlement of public funds reflect the clear dominance of rent-seeking and corruption within institutions,” warning of the negative consequences of the growing overlap between power and money, which it said threatens the country’s future.

On the human rights front, the party reported an increase in violations of rights and freedoms, as well as judicial prosecutions aimed at deterring activists from opposing authoritarian practices. Economically, it stated that the “so-called social state slogan clashes with a harsh reality,” as citizens face declining purchasing power, rising prices of basic goods, and increasing unemployment, particularly among youth and in rural areas.

For its part, Al Adl wal Ihsan group highlighted “further decline in social and economic development indicators” due to continued political dominance, mismanagement of national resources, and restrictions on rights and freedoms. It argued that worsening social conditions amid rising prices expose the limits of official discourse, particularly the concept of the “social state.”

The group also pointed to persistent structural imbalances in the political landscape, including authoritarian governance, widespread corruption, vote-buying, and what it described as the “illusion of reform,” alongside an increasing reliance on security-driven approaches.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan Human Rights Space sharply criticized the ruling system, stating it has “failed to ensure the most basic economic and social rights of citizens,” citing inadequate response to flood victims and mass layoffs of workers.

The organization also noted a worsening crisis in education, healthcare and employment, which has fueled youth protests, leading to thousands of arrests and numerous prison sentences, some reaching up to 15 years.

It further expressed concern over what it described as a wave of successive legislation lacking legitimacy, including criminal and civil procedure laws that it said largely favor stronger parties over ordinary citizens.

In Marrakech, a local anti-corruption coordination group denounced the continued embezzlement of public funds amid the absence of accountability, while infrastructure continues to suffer from fragility and poor workmanship.

Global energy markets are facing mounting uncertainty as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz intensify following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, according to Anadolu Agency. Although the strategic waterway has not been officially closed, strict Iranian controls have severely limited maritime traffic, with oil tanker crossings dropping by more than 90% on certain days.

The Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for nearly 20% of global oil trade, now sees up to 15 million barrels of crude oil per day at risk. This situation has driven oil prices from around $70 to $120 per barrel, while natural gas prices in Europe have nearly doubled amid growing supply concerns.

Despite attempts by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to stabilize markets through the release of emergency reserves, volatility persists, highlighting the fragility of global energy supply chains.

In this context, Türkiye is emerging as a key alternative transit corridor. With existing infrastructure such as the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and new proposals to transport gas from Qatar and Iraq toward Europe, Ankara is positioning itself as a strategic hub linking the Middle East, the Caspian region and European markets.

However, experts caution that alternative routes remain limited in capacity and cannot fully compensate for disruptions in Hormuz in the short term. As a result, global markets remain vulnerable, while attention increasingly turns toward diversified energy sources, including pipeline gas from regions such as North Africa.

Source: Anadolu Agency