US destroys 16 Iranian mine boats as Strait of Hormuz oil showdown escalates
Who's accountable for the results?
U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said, in what officials described as a move to prevent Tehran, Iran, from disrupting one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The strikes come as oil traffic through the strait remains at a near standstill, threatening a corridor that carries roughly 20 million barrels per day — about one-fifth of global consumption — and squeezing Gulf exporters like Iraq and Kuwait that rely on the narrow passage to ship their primary source of revenue.
Prior to taking out the mining vessels, Trump demanded Iran remove them "IMMEDIATELY!" warning that if it doesn’t, "the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before."
U.S. officials have long warned that Iran maintains a significant naval mine inventory and has rehearsed tactics designed to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf. The destruction of the vessels appears aimed at stopping any potential deployment before mines could be laid in shipping lanes.
US SIGNALS READINESS TO ESCORT TANKERS THROUGH HORMUZ AS TRAFFIC THINS, BUT NO MISSION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, is a critical artery for global energy markets. Even the threat of mining operations can further disrupt traffic and spike insurance and shipping costs.
It was not immediately clear whether any mines already had been placed in the water before the U.S. action. Citing intelligence sources, CNN reported Iran had laid a few dozen mines in the strait in recent days and had the capability to place hundreds more.
Since Friday, seven vessels, including four tankers and three bulk carriers, have passed through the strait, according to data from trade intelligence platform Kpler.
THE WAR HITS HOME: WHY FINANCIAL PAIN AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THREATEN TRUMP’S DRIVE TO TOPPLE IRAN’S REGIME
The U.S. Navy has been weighing escorts for commercial ships through the strait.
"We’re looking at a range of options there and will figure out how to solve problems as they come to us," Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told Fox News Tuesday.
The world is watching to see whether the Navy will step in to try to free up shipping. Immediately after an inaccurate and since-deleted post from Energy Sec. Chris Wright claiming the Navy had escorted a tanker, oil prices fell nearly 12%.
European allies are moving in as well: France sent two frigates to join a European Union-led escort mission for ships through the strait, though their arrival …
Who's accountable for the results?
U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said, in what officials described as a move to prevent Tehran, Iran, from disrupting one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The strikes come as oil traffic through the strait remains at a near standstill, threatening a corridor that carries roughly 20 million barrels per day — about one-fifth of global consumption — and squeezing Gulf exporters like Iraq and Kuwait that rely on the narrow passage to ship their primary source of revenue.
Prior to taking out the mining vessels, Trump demanded Iran remove them "IMMEDIATELY!" warning that if it doesn’t, "the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before."
U.S. officials have long warned that Iran maintains a significant naval mine inventory and has rehearsed tactics designed to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf. The destruction of the vessels appears aimed at stopping any potential deployment before mines could be laid in shipping lanes.
US SIGNALS READINESS TO ESCORT TANKERS THROUGH HORMUZ AS TRAFFIC THINS, BUT NO MISSION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, is a critical artery for global energy markets. Even the threat of mining operations can further disrupt traffic and spike insurance and shipping costs.
It was not immediately clear whether any mines already had been placed in the water before the U.S. action. Citing intelligence sources, CNN reported Iran had laid a few dozen mines in the strait in recent days and had the capability to place hundreds more.
Since Friday, seven vessels, including four tankers and three bulk carriers, have passed through the strait, according to data from trade intelligence platform Kpler.
THE WAR HITS HOME: WHY FINANCIAL PAIN AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THREATEN TRUMP’S DRIVE TO TOPPLE IRAN’S REGIME
The U.S. Navy has been weighing escorts for commercial ships through the strait.
"We’re looking at a range of options there and will figure out how to solve problems as they come to us," Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told Fox News Tuesday.
The world is watching to see whether the Navy will step in to try to free up shipping. Immediately after an inaccurate and since-deleted post from Energy Sec. Chris Wright claiming the Navy had escorted a tanker, oil prices fell nearly 12%.
European allies are moving in as well: France sent two frigates to join a European Union-led escort mission for ships through the strait, though their arrival …
US destroys 16 Iranian mine boats as Strait of Hormuz oil showdown escalates
Who's accountable for the results?
U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said, in what officials described as a move to prevent Tehran, Iran, from disrupting one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The strikes come as oil traffic through the strait remains at a near standstill, threatening a corridor that carries roughly 20 million barrels per day — about one-fifth of global consumption — and squeezing Gulf exporters like Iraq and Kuwait that rely on the narrow passage to ship their primary source of revenue.
Prior to taking out the mining vessels, Trump demanded Iran remove them "IMMEDIATELY!" warning that if it doesn’t, "the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before."
U.S. officials have long warned that Iran maintains a significant naval mine inventory and has rehearsed tactics designed to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf. The destruction of the vessels appears aimed at stopping any potential deployment before mines could be laid in shipping lanes.
US SIGNALS READINESS TO ESCORT TANKERS THROUGH HORMUZ AS TRAFFIC THINS, BUT NO MISSION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, is a critical artery for global energy markets. Even the threat of mining operations can further disrupt traffic and spike insurance and shipping costs.
It was not immediately clear whether any mines already had been placed in the water before the U.S. action. Citing intelligence sources, CNN reported Iran had laid a few dozen mines in the strait in recent days and had the capability to place hundreds more.
Since Friday, seven vessels, including four tankers and three bulk carriers, have passed through the strait, according to data from trade intelligence platform Kpler.
THE WAR HITS HOME: WHY FINANCIAL PAIN AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THREATEN TRUMP’S DRIVE TO TOPPLE IRAN’S REGIME
The U.S. Navy has been weighing escorts for commercial ships through the strait.
"We’re looking at a range of options there and will figure out how to solve problems as they come to us," Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told Fox News Tuesday.
The world is watching to see whether the Navy will step in to try to free up shipping. Immediately after an inaccurate and since-deleted post from Energy Sec. Chris Wright claiming the Navy had escorted a tanker, oil prices fell nearly 12%.
European allies are moving in as well: France sent two frigates to join a European Union-led escort mission for ships through the strait, though their arrival …
0 Comments
0 Shares
34 Views
0 Reviews
