Reuters published on 5 October 2026 a photo essay titled "As Iran War Smolders, Shunned Eritrea Looks to Come in from the Cold" by Monicah Mwangi and Giulia Paravicini.
Eritrea has acquired new geopolitical significance following the war in Iran and owing to its 1,000 kilometers of coastline along the Red Sea shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea has become an important alternative route for Gulf energy shipments. Outside powers are paying more attention to Eritrea.
At the same time, mandatory National Service continues to cause numerous departures from Eritrea and requests for asylum and refugee status in other countries.
