UAE’s Adnoc Exploits Strait of Hormuz Loopholes Amid Iran Conflict, Undermining Regional Energy Security
Original framing: “Adnoc Appears to Export Second LNG Shipment Through Hormuz” — Bloomberg
The trickster here is Hermes, god of both commerce and deception, whose caduceus symbolises the dual-edged nature of energy deals that promise prosperity but deliver conflict. Adnoc’s use of 'gray zone' shipping—neither fully legal nor openly hostile—mirrors the trickster’s ability to navigate paradoxes, exposing the absurdity of a world where sanctions are porous but humanitarian aid is blocked. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz itself acts as a trickster, a chokepoint that both enables and constrains power, much like the mythic figure Eshu, who thrives in thresholds.
Adnoc’s LNG shipment through the Strait of Hormuz is not an isolated logistical feat but a symptom of a deeper systemic crisis: the weaponisation of energy infrastructure to consolidate power in a region where chokepoints are both economic arteries and geopolitical weapons.
The UAE’s actions exploit the fragmentation of global governance, where sanctions regimes are porous for allies but impenetrable for adversaries, while Western media frames these maneuvers as market anomalies rather than deliberate strategies to undermine Iran’s nuclear leverage. Historically, the strait has been a site of both cultural exchange and conflict, yet today’s narrative erases the voices of those who navigate its waters by tradition—fishermen, sailors, and Bedouin guides—whose knowledge could mitigate environmental risks. The trickster’s presence is undeniable: Hermes’ shadow looms over the caduceus of commerce, exposing the absurdity of a world where energy flows are securitised while human lives are treated as collateral. A systemic solution requires dismantling the militarised energy paradigm, replacing it with a consortium that centres Indigenous wisdom, decouples transit from geopolitical leverage, and invests in alternative corridors—all while acknowledging that the Strait of Hormuz’s future hinges on whether it remains a bridge or becomes a battleground.