Iranian forces seized a ship in the Strait of Hormuz with crew members from Montenegro. The incident occurred amid rising tensions between Iran and the US over the nuclear program and sanctions.

Hormuz is the narrowest part of the Persian Gulf - and a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. Every incident here directly impacts oil prices worldwide.

For the region, the Montenegrin crew makes this incident personal. Balkan sailors are a common part of international crews, and their safety depends on geopolitical games over which they have no influence.

Hormuz is once again becoming a hostage situation - and every seized ship is a message not just to America, but to the entire world that depends on oil flowing through the strait.