Source: Fox News
Summary
U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Tehran from disrupting the critical maritime choke point. The strikes come as oil traffic through the strait remains at a near standstill, threatening global energy markets. 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.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
The U.S. has destroyed Iranian mine-laying vessels, and the world is watching to see whether the Navy will step in to try to free up shipping. European allies are moving in, with France sending two frigates to join a European Union-led escort mission for ships through the strait. The U.S. has claimed “total air dominance” over Iran’s skies, but the threat from missiles and drones is not entirely eliminated. The Navy won’t escort tankers until Iran’s missile and drone threat is eliminated. Trump has announced the U.S. would remove oil-related sanctions to reduce prices.
The sequence of events unfolds like a familiar script.
Author: Evan Null
