Shipping Giant Suspends Israel's Haifa Port service
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Danish shipping company Maersk announced the suspension of all vessel calls to Israel's Haifa port, citing security concerns tied to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a statement, the company, considered the world's second-largest container shipping operator, explained that potential risks to crew safety and vessel operations at Israeli ports prompted the move.
Meanwhile, Maersk added that no further disruptions are expected across its regional routes, confirming that vessels will continue docking at Ashdod, a southern Israeli port.
The suspension follows Israel's Operation Rising Lion, a series of strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites that resulted in the deaths of several senior IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iran retaliated with True Promise 3, described as its largest direct assault on Israeli territory, involving so far 17 waves of missile and drone attacks. Official reports count at least 224 fatalities in Iran and 25 in Israel since the conflict began.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Pentagon bolsters Mideast forces as Iraq factions threaten US troops
Shafaq News/ The US Department of Defense confirmed on Friday that it has deployed additional military assets to the Middle East as tensions escalate over the Israel–Iran conflict and threats mount from Iran-aligned Iraqi factions. Responding to inquiries from Shafaq News, a Pentagon spokesperson pointed to official statements by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who ordered enhanced force posture under US Central Command (CENTCOM). The spokesperson did not disclose the nature or locations of the deployments. — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025 In a separate post, Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell clarified that 'US forces remain in a defensive posture,' indicating that Washington is not seeking to escalate the situation militarily at this stage. The Pentagon declined to comment on whether direct communications had occurred with the Iraqi government to defuse threats from armed factions, or on the nature of any potential US response should its personnel or facilities come under attack in Iraq. Officials instead referred to public statements issued by senior defense leaders. The warning signs follow explicit threats from powerful Iraqi armed groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, both of which vowed to target US positions in Iraq and Syria if Washington intervenes militarily in support of Israel. Roughly 2,500 American troops are stationed in Iraq under a mission to advise and assist Iraqi security forces and the Global Coalition against ISIS. However, these forces have repeatedly come under rocket and drone attacks since 2020, with threats intensifying after the US assassination of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
FBI examines anti-Muslim, anti-Jewish hate incidents across US
Shafaq News/ On Friday, New York City police opened an investigation after Zoran Mamdani, a Muslim Democratic candidate for mayor, received a series of phone messages containing direct threats and Islamophobic language. According to The New York Daily News, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is handling the case following reports that Mamdani was targeted with four threatening voice messages sent at different times. One of the messages allegedly included a threat to blow up Mamdani's car. Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Max Miller, known for his outspoken support of Israel, reported that he and his family were harassed while driving in Ohio by an individual displaying a Palestinian flag. The encounter, which forced Miller to veer off the road, was later described by the lawmaker as an ''antisemitic act.'' These two incidents come amid a broader national rise in hate crimes targeting both Muslim and Jewish communities. According to FBI data, reported anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by 49 % from 2023 to 2024. The Anti-Defamation League separately recorded a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2024, marking a 344 % increase over five years.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Aerial crisis: Iraq losing millions daily due to Iran-Israel conflict
Shafaq News/ Iraqi officials and aviation sources warned that the full closure of Iraqi airspace since June 13, amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, is costing the country millions of dollars each day. The shutdown has halted overflight traffic and inflicted heavy losses on local airlines and airports. Previously, around 700 aircraft flights — including passenger and cargo — traversed Iraqi skies daily. Overflight fees averaged $450 per passenger flight and $700 for cargo planes, according to aviation data. In May, the General Company for Air Navigation Services recorded 19,841 transit flights, a record figure highlighting Iraq's growing role as a regional aviation hub, its general manager, Abbas Sabbar Al-Baydani, commented. 'Direct losses from halted overflights exceed $250,000 per day,' remarked Amer Abdul-Jabbar, a member of Iraq's parliamentary transport committee, cautioning that this did not account for indirect losses faced by airlines, airports, and ground services. In the south, Basra Airport has run only 13 flights since the crisis began. Baghdad, Najaf, and Erbil airports have seen partial or full suspensions. Self-funded local carriers such as Iraqi Airways and Fly Baghdad are also struggling financially. Parliamentary and governmental sources note that overflight and operational revenues fund staff salaries and allowances, which are at risk if the closure persists. Flight tracking analysis by FlightRadar24 showed that the closure of Iraqi and Iranian airspace has redirected flights over Saudi Arabia, doubling flight counts from 700 to 1,400 per day. Flights over Afghanistan surged by 500%, causing international carriers like Qatar Airways and FlyDubai to reroute via Pakistan and Afghanistan — adding approximately two hours to some journeys. Iraq's civil aviation network includes key airports in Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, and Basra, which serve as vital sources of non-oil revenue from overflight fees, ground services, and cargo operations. Despite recent growth in air traffic, the sector faces challenges in modernization and route expansion amid security and political instability. Analysts warn that a prolonged airspace closure could deepen economic pressures, weaken Iraq's national aviation sector, and leave airlines ill-equipped to absorb the financial shock.
