Hormuz Strait Traffic Plunges to 15% of Pre-Conflict Levels; Dollar Hits 40-Year High Amid Energy Crisis

According to BlockBeats, today (July 22), Middle East tensions are escalating amid energy supply disruptions. Hormuz Strait commercial traffic has fallen to approximately 15% of pre-conflict levels as international ship operators evacuate the region. The Red Sea alternative route now faces uncertainty due to Houthi threats, while Kazakhstan suspended Black Sea oil exports, creating a dual-channel supply pressure situation.

In currency markets, USD/JPY briefly surpassed 163, marking its strongest level since 1986, as oil price increases and rising U.S. Treasury yields intensify pressures. Market watchers are monitoring 165 as the next key level. The confluence of energy supply disruptions, inflation concerns, and geopolitical risks is prompting the Federal Reserve to maintain hawkish policy stance despite softer employment data, while institutional investors are reducing duration exposure in money markets to preserve repricing flexibility.