World warns Iran
** Tensions are rising in the Gulf again after the United Arab Emirates said it intercepted 15 missiles and four drones fired from Iran and warned that it reserves the right to respond to the “treacherous” attacks. The attacks on Monday mark the first time the UAE has been targeted since Iran and the United States agreed to a ceasefire on April 8.
Germany sends ships
** Germany’s Navy is stationing two ships in the Mediterranean ahead of a possible deployment in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran. According to the Defence Ministry, the aim is to position the ships closer to the potential theatre of operations in the event of an international naval deployment.
China reacts
** China’s Ministry of Commerce issued an injunction on May 2 voiding US sanctions on five Chinese oil refineries. The move marks Beijing’s first formal use of its 2021 anti-sanctions blocking rules.
Oil stocks low
** Global oil stocks are approaching their lowest level in eight years, Goldman Sachs said this week, warning that the speed of depletion was becoming a concern as supplies through the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted.
Ship passes Strait
** Maersk confirmed that the Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged roll on/roll off vessel operated by subsidiary Farrell Lines, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz after being stuck in the Persian Gulf since February.
Deadly Russian attack
** A Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure killed five people overnight, officials said on Tuesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced Moscow’s ceasefire offer as cynical amid continuing strikes.
US Energy
** Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announces the state has reached an agreement with Ford to give it more time to deliver promised jobs after the automaker announced it would convert an EV battery factory to make grid batteries instead.
** Renewable investment platform Energea announces it’s financing construction of a 140 MW solar farm in Texas.
** Texas ranchers and homeowners bristle over a reduced time frame to voice their concerns about plans to spend $33 billion to build more than 3,400 miles of extra-high-voltage power lines across the state.
** Iowa lawmakers send a bill to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk that would create a sales and use tax exemption for costs related to restarting decommissioned nuclear power plants.