US attacks Iran’s mine-laying boats in strait of Hormuz as tensions rise over oil
US Attacks Iran’s Mine-Laying Boats in Hormuz Strait Amid Rising Oil Tensions
Three merchant vessels were targeted near the Hormuz Strait, with one incident involving a Thai-registered bulk carrier that caught fire after departing a UAE port. The ship’s owners reported it was hit by two projectiles of unknown origin while sailing approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman. This event ended a four-day period of relative calm in the critical waterway. Crews were forced to evacuate as flames spread through the engine room, which the Omani navy helped extinguish. Twenty individuals were removed from the vessel, while three remained on board for further assistance.
Two additional ships were struck, though the damage was minimal. The Japanese container ship ONE Majesty sustained light harm 28 miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Meanwhile, the Star Gwyneth, a bulk carrier flying the Marshall Islands flag, was hit 30 miles northwest of Dubai, in the hold area while anchored. No severe injuries were reported in either case. The Hormuz Strait, a vital chokepoint for global trade, has seen its lanes effectively closed since the start of the month following the US-Israeli assault on Iran. Tehran’s retaliation has raised concerns about the region’s stability.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning, stating it would block oil exports if US-Israeli attacks persisted. “Even a single litre of oil will not leave the region,” declared Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a military spokesperson. The strait, measuring just 21 miles at its narrowest point, sees about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas transit daily. Recent reports suggested Iran had deployed a dozen mines, though French President Emmanuel Macron noted he had no confirmed evidence of this. Such operations are typically conducted via fast naval vessels or surviving midget submarines.
The US military responded by attacking and destroying 16 Iranian mine-laying boats near the strait as part of its effort to neutralize the country’s naval threat. Admiral Bradley Cooper, US Central Command, revealed the strike was part of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s ability to disrupt international shipping. The operation included a 5,500-target effort, with over 60 ships reportedly engaged. Iranian civilians were urged to avoid ports where military activity was ongoing.
“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel,” said Trump, addressing the impact of the attacks on regional security. “You have destabilised the price.”
Oil prices briefly surged to nearly $120 a barrel on Monday but have since stabilized around $90, with hopes for a conflict resolution. While France expressed interest in supporting a convoy mission once fighting eases, the UK emphasized air defense as a more pressing concern. US General Dan Caine highlighted the navy’s consideration of various security options during a briefing. However, when questioned on Wednesday about measures to ensure safety, Trump offered vague assurances without specifics.
As tensions escalate, the strait’s narrow shipping lanes remain a focal point for both sides. The strategic waterway, just 2 miles wide in each direction, continues to symbolize the precarious balance between energy supply and geopolitical conflict.
