The security environment in the Persian Gulf has undergone a fundamental structural shift following the escalation that began on February 28, 2026. For the (re)insurance market, the Strait of Hormuz has transitioned from a high-risk transit corridor to an active conflict zone, resulting in a near-total suspension of commercial traffic and a critical concentration of hull and cargo exposure.

The escalation of hostilities in the Persian Gulf since 28 February 2026 has fundamentally altered global maritime risk patterns. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to commercial shipping, insurers are now confronting one of the largest geographic redistributions of energy transport risk in modern shipping.

As of March 2, 2026, the Middle East is in a state of high-intensity conflict following the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation on February 28. In retaliation, Iran has launched widespread missile and drone strikes targeting civilian and military infrastructure across the Gulf. Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains a primary point of strategic and economic exposure, having already suffered confirmed damage and operational paralysis.

Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz have raised immediate concern across maritime and insurance markets. Reports indicate vessels are being denied passage via VHF radiotelephone communications attributed to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces, resulting in a sharp reduction in vessel traffic through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.