Middle East Crisi

Strait of Hormuz
Russian luxury yacht glides straight through Strait of Hormuz

While countries and shipping companies around the world are arguing over how to get oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a luxury yacht glided through without a hitch this weekend, writes Reuters.

The boat in question, which is linked to Russian oligarch and billionaire Alexei Mordashov, passed through the conflict zone despite both a blockade and threats of shelling.

It is unclear how the 142-meter-long luxury yacht Nord, which is valued at over five billion kronor, was granted permission to travel between the port of Dubai and the Omani capital Muscat. However, the trip was completed without complications.

Perhaps it helped that Mordashov, a steel magnate who has made a fortune from his good connections, has good contacts with Vladimir Putin. The Russian president is close to both the Iranian regime and the United States. 

Reactions
Japan: Cannot do things that would provoke the US

A rift is emerging within the G7 as Europe and Canada try to put pressure on the US regarding the blockade of Hormuz. At the same time, Japan feels limited by its security policy dependence on American forces, writes Nikkei Asia.

The European countries have taken a different position on a blockade of Hormuz than the US. Among others, France and the UK recently announced “a comprehensive diplomatic solution to the conflict” in connection with the last G7 meeting in March.

A high-ranking Japanese official has instead said that Japan “cannot take measures that would provoke a reaction from the US”.

Economic Impact
EU: Extra Oil and Gas Bill of 300 Billion for Iran War

European countries have been hit with an oil and gas bill of 32 billion dollars, equivalent to approximately 294 billion Swedish kronor, since the Iran War began. This is according to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to the Wall Street Journal.

According to von der Leyen, the EU's dependence on imported fossil fuels makes member states vulnerable. The second energy crisis in four years is therefore affecting the Union's economy and its citizens "to a great extent".

Coordination of support measures at the European level is needed "so that we can exploit our market power" and avoid competing for energy resources on the global market. 

Palestinian Elections
Unique Gaza Election Gives Little Indication of Hamas Support

As expected, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party emerged as the largest party in local elections in the West Bank this weekend. Overall, Palestinians had few other options to choose from.

Elections were also held in the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, marking the first elections of any kind for Gazans since 2006. Hamas, which has long controlled Gaza, did not field any of its own candidates. But a couple of candidates were seen as pro-Hamas, and analysts said the election could signal how much support the Islamist group has in the area, writes Reuters.

According to preliminary results, the pro-Hamas camp won only two of the fifteen seats at stake.

The Palestinian Authority wants to unite Gaza and the West Bank in the long term. In light of that, the election in Deir al-Balah was therefore seen largely as a symbolic pilot project, writes AP.