The United States has expanded suspensions of visa services in Pakistan and temporarily halted diplomatic operations in Saudi Arabia amid rising security concerns.
The United States Embassy in Islamabad has announced that visa appointments at its embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Karachi have been cancelled until March 6, Friday. The decision comes as precautionary measures amid the evolving regional security situation.
In Saudi Arabia, the United States Mission to Saudi Arabia has suspended regular and emergency consular services. All visa and citizen service appointments have been cancelled until further notice. US citizens in cities including Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran have been advised to stay at home and avoid crowded areas, protests and sensitive locations following reported security incidents near diplomatic facilities.
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Meanwhile, travel disruptions continue in aviation. Qatar Airways has extended the suspension of its flight operations until 9:00 AM local time on March 4 due to restrictions on Qatari airspace. Authorities have kept airspace temporarily closed amid regional tensions, and operations will resume once safe reopening is announced. Passengers are advised to check official updates through the airline’s website or mobile app.
Oil tanker rates surge
Freight costs for crude oil tankers have surged sharply after disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. According to news agency reports, the daily charter cost for a tanker transporting oil from Qatar to China has jumped to 420,000 dollars per day.
The global average tanker rate has increased to 257,986 dollars per day, marking one of the highest levels since 2008. Before the escalation and strikes on Iran, the daily rate stood at 158,531 dollars — showing a dramatic rise in shipping expenses.
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Reports state that around 20% of the world’s crude oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical energy transit route. Any restriction or threat to navigation directly pushes up freight charges, insurance costs and global oil market volatility.
The combined diplomatic restrictions and energy market impact reflect growing geopolitical uncertainty and its economic consequences.
