There is no shortage of parallel realities this fall in the Persian Gulf, especially near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of oil travels to the world market.
For example, the Port of Khasab on the Musandam peninsula—an exclave of the Sultanate of Oman—recently hosted the mega-cruiser Mein Schiff with about 2,500 tourists and almost 1,000 crew members, all with traditional music, dance, and handicraft offerings from the hilly Governorate with about 50,000 inhabitants. Officials Muscat in the 2025-2026 tourist season expect as many as 43 mega-tourist ships to dock in the Port of Khasab!
Tourism is otherwise a hot topic on the two shores of the Persian Gulf. The eventual continuation of the June “twelve-day war” between Israel and Iran, is another.
Thus, on the one hand, it happens that at the beginning of November (during the World Tourism Exchange in London), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain agreed to jointly develop the regional cruise industry. (https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/11/11/gcc-expands-cruise-arabia-alliance-to-boost-regional-cruise-tourism/).
That, just weeks after Saudi Arabia and China wrapped up their third joint naval exercise (“Blue Sword”) in the Persian Gulf. “This joint exercise, as the third version of the Blue Sword series between the two navies, marked the first joint exercise organized by the PLA Navy of China and Special Operations Group 1 of the Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet. The move from the western to the eastern part of Saudi Arabia further emphasized the orientation of the joint training towards actual combat operations,” the Chinese Ministry of Defence said in a statement . (http://eng.mod.gov.cn/2025xb/N/JE/16421463.html).
At the same time, on the eastern shores of the Persian Gulf, the media from Tehran this week draw attention to the development potential of tourism on the Iranian island around the Strait of Hormuz. (https://en.mehrnews.com/news/238553/Best-season-to-explore-Iran-s-Persian-Gulf-Islands).
“As autumn arrives with its mild weather and calm waters, the Persian Gulf transforms into one of the region’s most attractive tourist destinations. From the bustling souks of Kish and Qeshm to the unspoiled natural beauty of Hengam, Lavan and Hormuz (on the photo ), the southern Iranian islands offer the perfect blend of culture, commerce and coastal charm. This is the best time year to explore these jewels of the Persian Gulf — where turquoise waters meet colourful local traditions and growing opportunities for ecotourism and trade,” Mehrnews reported.
All this, at the time of the latest visit by senior Iranian military officials to four Iranian islands, not far from the Strait of Hormuz. “Readiness on the Iranian islands has increased compared to before, and we are fully prepared to face any threat in the defence of our land and sea borders,” he said. Major General Gholam-Ali Abdolahi, commander of the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, country’s top war command centre, during a tour of the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Bu Musa and Siri. (https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/520283/Iran-s-war-room-chief-visits-Persian-Gulf-islands-as-threats).
Whether tourism will soon flourish near the Strait of Hormuz, remains uncertain.
