Supply Routes Snapshot - Regional Middle East - 25 May 2026

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The humanitarian consequences of the crisis in the Middle East have intensified since February 2026. The effects of the situation extend across the region, with primary humanitarian operational impacts across Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, and Iran, creating supply chain and market disruptions in neighbouring countries and regions, including humanitarian responses in East Africa. Regional transport corridors, airspace, ports, border crossings, and fuel supply chains have been disrupted, resulting in complex cross border logistics challenges. This Supply Route Snapshot provides an overview of the current supply routes used by partners to continue operations in the region and provides key logistics information and analyses on the primary and secondary affected countries. 

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Key Situation Updates

On 12 May 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced that the scope of the Strait of Hormuz was expanded from the coasts of Jask and Sirik to beyond Greater Tunb Island. On 20 May 2026, the Iran Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) announced the establishment of a regulated maritime area within the Strait of Hormuz, extending eastward from Kuh‑e Mubarak in Iran to waters south of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and westward from Qeshm Island to Umm al‑Quwain, UAE. Media outlets have reported the implementation of a multi-tiered mechanism for clearing vessels through the Strait.

Continued conflict has been reported in Lebanon between 15 and 18 May, despite the announcement of the ceasefire extension on 15 May. Alternative multimodal supply routes in into Afghanistan remain complex due to the inaccessibility to the Persian Gulf and continued border crossing closures with Pakistan. Access to Syrian ports has become increasingly important for neighboring countries, including Iraq, to transport oil and other goods.

Shipping & Port Access

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping. Media outlets have reported very limited controlled transits occurring under military escort arrangements. Following escorted transits, pre-conflict levels of traffic have not resumed, and the corridor remains largely unused by commercial operators that continue to avoid the corridor due to security risks, unclear rules of passage, and high insurance costs. 

Due to decreased visibility and the limitations of maritime tracking data, estimates differ on the number of ships that have been able to transit the strait, though all estimates remain low. On 19 May 2026, InchCape Shipping Services reported that 12 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz, Windward Maritime AI reported a total of 7 ships transiting, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimated a total of 4 transits. 

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Note: The below table reflects the status of ports at the time of writing. While several ports are reported as “operational,” actual port activity may be constrained, and vessel calls remain limited due to a range of factors (e.g. cost increases, access uncertainty, and operational risks).

Airspace Status & Air Cargo Capacity Updates                                                                                                 

The below table includes countries with ongoing humanitarian operations, regional operational hubs, and regional aviation hubs. Restrictions can include rerouting, controlled corridors, and operational constraints.

Fuel Prices as of May 2026 (download PDF to view chart)

Multi-Modal Supply Corridors: Middle East

This section provides an overview of key multimodal supply corridors supporting humanitarian and commercial flows into Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, reflecting the current operating environment across the region. It highlights the primary routes, modalities, and access points being utilised, as well as emerging constraints affecting movement, cost, and lead times.

Given the relatively static operating context, these corridors remain critical for maintaining supply continuity. However, they are subject to ongoing adjustments due to capacity limitations, administrative procedures, and evolving logistical conditions. The analysis aims to support operational planning and decision‑making by identifying viable routing options, associated risks, and potential bottlenecks across these priority corridors.

Supply corridors into Gaza: there are no functioning OPT seaports. All Gaza-bound sea cargo is routed through Ashdod and Haifa Ports in Israel, Al-Arish and Port Said Ports in Egypt, and Aqaba Port, Jordan. The Ashdod container yard has reported congestion and extended dwell times for humanitarian cargo since early March; it is currently the main corridor for humanitarian cargo, followed by Egypt and Jordan. The Cyprus Maritime Corridor into Ashdod Port via a UNOPS mechanism is operating intermittently and handles limited tonnage.

The information presented in this Snapshot is based on inputs provided by humanitarian partners, complemented by publicly available media reporting and market information. All data reflects the situation at the time of compilation and is subject to change as the operational context evolves.

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