The international press is shifting from the question of war to its cost; Hormuz is losing part of its influence, Iraq is entering a new phase, and Saudi Arabia is advancing in the global energy security equation

Monitoring and Analysis | Strategic Media Department – BETH Agency
Supervision: Abdullah Al-Amirah

New York | Hormuz Loses Its Grip

The Wall Street Journal sees Iran’s ability to use the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining card beginning to weaken as Middle East oil exports recover to levels close to those seen before the war, alongside the growing use of alternative routes, particularly through Saudi Arabia.

The newspaper now places oil at the center of the negotiations: the more supplies continue to flow, the more the strait’s ability to impose its terms on the market or at the negotiating table declines.

London | Negotiations Without Resolution

The Financial Times continues to read the situation from the perspective that mediation has not stopped, but has yet to produce a formula that can be implemented.

The disagreement is no longer over the principle of negotiation, but over who moves first: reopening Hormuz, easing restrictions, halting military operations, or reaching a nuclear understanding.

Washington | Iraq After the Withdrawal

The American press sees the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq as opening a new test: Baghdad’s ability to control armed factions and rebuild security decision-making within the state, while Washington redistributes its regional presence.

Paris | Saudi Security and Europe

The French press continues to link the protection of Saudi facilities to European energy security, particularly following French moves to protect Yanbu and other vital installations.

The French perspective goes beyond defending a single facility to a larger question: who protects energy routes when Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab both become fronts in the war?

Saudi Arabia in the Global Press

Saudi Arabia is appearing today more clearly as a stabilizing force in the energy market.

The return of the East-West Pipeline and shipments from Yanbu, alongside the recovery in Gulf exports, have helped push regional exports back toward pre-war levels, while an increasing share of shipments is moving through routes that bypass Hormuz.

Conclusion:

The global press does not see a political breakthrough, but it does see an important economic shift:

Negotiations are faltering, Hormuz is relatively losing influence, and Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly important in safeguarding energy flows.

The center of the war is gradually shifting from who fires more, to who can endure longer.