U.S. Makes Progress Reopening Strait Of Hormuz
4 hours ago
The United States has made progress loosening Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining pressure on Tehran’s oil exports, but the months-long conflict remains far from over.
American forces have been working to keep commercial vessels moving through the strategic waterway while enforcing a blockade aimed at preventing Iranian oil exports. U.S. Central Command said Thursday that 96 commercial vessels attempting to travel to or from Iranian ports have been redirected since the blockade was reinstated in July. More than 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid have been allowed through.
The operation has increased economic pressure on Iran, with its oil exports largely shut down. However, Iran has continued attacks on ships in and around the strait and has shown little indication that it intends to back down. The continuing U.S. military deployment is also costly and requires significant resources to protect shipping through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The conflict is increasingly affecting another critical shipping route. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have stepped up attacks against Saudi Arabia and advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. On Friday, the Houthis reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to Yemeni government sources.
The Bab el-Mandeb has become particularly important for Saudi oil exports because of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Further instability there could threaten shipping through a second major global trade route.
Oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel amid concerns about the escalating regional conflict and disruptions to global energy supplies.
President Donald Trump has maintained that the United States is making progress against Iran while emphasizing that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The administration has also pointed to increased commercial traffic under U.S. protection and the disruption of Iranian oil exports as evidence that its strategy in the Strait of Hormuz is having an impact.
American forces have been working to keep commercial vessels moving through the strategic waterway while enforcing a blockade aimed at preventing Iranian oil exports. U.S. Central Command said Thursday that 96 commercial vessels attempting to travel to or from Iranian ports have been redirected since the blockade was reinstated in July. More than 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid have been allowed through.
The operation has increased economic pressure on Iran, with its oil exports largely shut down. However, Iran has continued attacks on ships in and around the strait and has shown little indication that it intends to back down. The continuing U.S. military deployment is also costly and requires significant resources to protect shipping through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The conflict is increasingly affecting another critical shipping route. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have stepped up attacks against Saudi Arabia and advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. On Friday, the Houthis reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to Yemeni government sources.
The Bab el-Mandeb has become particularly important for Saudi oil exports because of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Further instability there could threaten shipping through a second major global trade route.
Oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel amid concerns about the escalating regional conflict and disruptions to global energy supplies.
President Donald Trump has maintained that the United States is making progress against Iran while emphasizing that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The administration has also pointed to increased commercial traffic under U.S. protection and the disruption of Iranian oil exports as evidence that its strategy in the Strait of Hormuz is having an impact.