US President Donald Trump has directed the military to ramp up mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing forces to destroy vessels obstructing these efforts. In a recent social media post, Trump emphasized the need for decisive action against smaller boats laying mines and ordered a significant increase in mine-sweeping activities.
This announcement follows the seizure of another tanker linked to the smuggling of Iranian oil, exacerbating tensions between the US and Iran, especially after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards captured two vessels in the strategically vital strait. The US Defence Department has released footage of American forces aboard the commandeered Guinea-flagged oil tanker, the Majestic X, previously sanctioned for oil smuggling activities.
The Pentagon reiterated its commitment to disrupt illicit operations supporting Iran, declaring that maritime enforcement would continue relentlessly. The Majestic X had been located in the Indian Ocean en route to China and bore a previous name tied to sanctions due to its involvement in smuggling Iranian crude oil.
Tensions escalated when Iranian forces attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait, amplifying concerns surrounding the passage that facilitates about 20% of the world’s oil trade. Around the same time, Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports, although doubts linger on the prospects for future peace negotiations that were once held in Pakistan.
Since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US in February, over 30 ships have faced attacks in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. The ongoing hostilities are hindering maritime traffic, with increased fears and insurance costs deterring ship movements. Iran’s capability to obstruct transit through the Strait has emerged as a tactical advantage.
Bilateral tensions have also impacted global markets, driving up gas prices and the cost of food and various goods, prompting warnings about potential long-term economic consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
In a related event, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi, faced an attack in Berlin during a news conference where he criticized the US-Iran ceasefire negotiations as unrealistic. Although he has been in exile for nearly five decades, Pahlavi aspires to influence Iran’s future, despite the historical challenges stemming from his family’s past rule.