Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly following a series of attacks on vessels and overnight military strikes between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over global energy supplies.

The disruption to traffic through the strategic waterway, a vital route for oil and fuel shipments to Europe and beyond, sparked fears of potential jet fuel shortages. However, the European Union’s Energy Task Force said after a meeting on Friday that fuel supplies remain stable despite the escalating tensions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the task force said the supply of jet fuel “remains overall stable so far” despite the volatile security situation in the Middle East. It also said there were “no immediate security of supply concerns” for oil and gas heading into the winter months.

While gas prices remain above pre-conflict levels, the task force noted that market volatility has been relatively limited and prices are still well below those seen during the 2022 energy crisis.

The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported several security incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. On 5 July, a cargo vessel was attacked by unidentified armed assailants off the coast of Yemen. A day later, a tanker caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, although no casualties were reported.

On 7 July, another tanker sustained structural damage after being hit by a projectile, while a second vessel in the same area was struck by an uncrewed aerial vehicle, causing minor damage. Most recently, on 12 July, a container ship off the coast of Oman caught fire after being damaged, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel before being rescued by local authorities.

The UK, France and Germany jointly condemned what they described as Iran’s “reckless attacks” on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, including Bahrain, Oman and Jordan. The three countries called for the swift and full restoration of safe navigation through the vital shipping corridor.

The latest developments come after the US military said it carried out a series of strikes in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Iran said it retaliated by launching strikes against US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, further escalating tensions across the region.

At least 27 people have been killed and 22 others are in critical condition after a fire swept through a bar in one of Bangkok’s popular entertainment districts.

Videos shared on social media captured panicked patrons fleeing the venue as towering flames erupted from the building’s entrance, sending thick smoke into the surrounding area.

Preliminary investigations by Bangkok’s disaster mitigation department suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air conditioning unit. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the fire.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene early on Monday, said a musician performing at the venue told him there was a loud blast before smoke and flames rapidly spread, prompting people to rush for the exits.

According to the musician, many victims were unable to escape after running to the back of the building and seeking shelter in the toilets as the fire intensified.

Firefighters, alerted by a passing motorist, arrived quickly and managed to bring the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. Despite their efforts, nine men and 18 women lost their lives.

More than 60 people were taken to hospital for treatment, with authorities confirming that 22 remain in critical condition as investigations into the tragedy continue.

Police investigating the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe believe she was attacked nearly 24 hours before she was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon.

The 78-year-old was discovered with serious injuries at around 11:40 BST on Thursday. Detectives believe the attack occurred at approximately 12:30 BST on Wednesday and say investigations are progressing rapidly as they search for the person responsible.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a 26-year-old white British man arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers are focused on identifying those responsible and examining all available evidence.

“Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined,” he said. “We are deploying all of the necessary resources to establish exactly what happened. I would urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.”

Later on Saturday, police said they would not release additional details, including descriptions of any potential suspects or CCTV footage, at this stage, warning that doing so could compromise ongoing enquiries and affect future investigative opportunities.

A significant police and forensic presence remained at Widdecombe’s property on Saturday as officers continued their investigation. Members of the public, along with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, were seen laying flowers near her home.

During a press conference on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Longman said investigators had ruled out terrorism and had found no evidence to suggest Widdecombe’s death was politically motivated. He added that it was too early to determine whether the attacker was known to her.

Widdecombe’s management agency announced her death on Friday morning without mentioning any suspicious circumstances. Later that day, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed they had launched a murder investigation and appealed for information as detectives continue their inquiries.