US-Iran war: What UAE residents need to know this evening, September 4

On September 4, the US-Iran conflict remained tense, with Washington keeping military, economic, and covert options open against Tehran. Maritime security risks around the Strait of Hormuz remained severe, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre. Commercial traffic through the strait was still significantly below normal levels, with Iranian surveillance and harassment of commercial shipping continuing.

South Korea is considering contributing to US-led security efforts around the strait, though no decision has been made. The country could provide combat or non-combat roles, as well as search operations, but nothing has been finalized. South Korea is particularly vulnerable to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, as much of its imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through the waterway.

Iran's oil exports have fallen sharply due to the US naval blockade, with Iranian crude loadings dropping from around 2 million barrels a day in March to between 220,000 and 255,000 barrels per day in August. Iran has not shipped meaningful volumes of crude through the Strait of Hormuz for around seven weeks, disrupting a significant source of foreign currency for Tehran.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the Trump administration continues to have a wide range of options for dealing with Iran, including economic, military, diplomatic, and covert pressure. He did not specify which measures Washington might take next but emphasized that publicly revealing plans would limit the president's options. However, he downplayed the situation as a conventional war, noting that there was no sustained active fighting despite periodic flare-ups.