Updates to closing prices, analyst comment

By Ateeq Shariff

July 14 (Reuters) - Most Gulf equity markets closed lower on Tuesday after Washington reinstated its naval blockade against Iran and both nations intensified attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, stoking renewed concerns over global energy supply disruptions.

The U.S. military launched strikes against Iran for a third straight night on Monday, while President Donald Trump restored a blockade on Iranian shipping and suggested imposing a 20% fee for protecting the Strait of Hormuz.

Dubai's main share index .DFMGI declined 1.3%, with top lender Emirates NBD ENBD.DU gaining 2.7%.

GCC equities remained under pressure as rising geopolitical tensions drove investors toward caution. Security concerns around maritime trade deepened after fresh tanker incidents and the U.S. decision to reinstate its blockade against Iran, heightening uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, said Daniel Takieddine, co-founder and CEO of Sky Links Capital Group.

Focus is also turning to key global catalysts, including U.S. inflation data and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's testimony, which could shape expectations for U.S. monetary policy and global risk appetite, with potential implications for GCC markets, added Takieddine.

In Abu Dhabi, the index .FTFADGI lost 0.5%.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Monday two Emirati tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters, killing one Indian crew member and injuring eight others.

Shipping data released Monday also showed that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz over the previous day had dropped to its lowest level in two months.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI dropped 0.8%, dragged down by a 1.7% fall in Al Rajhi Bank 1120.SE.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under its control on Monday.

Oil major Saudi Aramco 2222.SE advanced 1.4% as oil prices rose.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up $2.89, or 3.47%, at $86.19 per barrel at 1158 GMT. O/R

Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index .EGX30 lost 0.6%, hit by a 1.4% fall in Commercial International Bank COMI.CA.

Saudi Arabia	.TASI dropped 0.8% to 10,716
Abu Dhabi	.FTFADGI fell 0.5% to 9,852
Dubai	.DFMGI declined 1.3% to 5,891
Egypt	.EGX30 lost 0.6% to 52,299
Bahrain	.BAX down 0.5% to 1,990
Oman	.MSX30 eased 0.2% to 7,604
Kuwait	.BKP inched down 0.1% to 9,079