The strait of hormuz is back in focus after US forces struck multiple sites in southern Iran on President Donald Trump’s orders. The move followed the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter over the waterway the day before.
Strait of Hormuz tensions rise after US strikes
CENTCOM said the attacks were self-defence operations. Iranian media reported blasts at Sirik Port on Iran’s southern coast. It also reported unconfirmed explosions near Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas.
The Apache went down in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A one-way Iranian attack drone hit it while it was on patrol. The two crew members were later rescued by a US Navy surface drone. They spent about two hours in the water near Oman’s coast and were later reported to be in stable condition.
Trump had earlier said a response was inevitable. He posted on social media that the United States was compelled to act. Iran’s Foreign Minister did not claim responsibility. However, he warned that foreign military forces in the region risked accidents or crossfire.
Strait of Hormuz and shipping risk
The strikes add to concern over the strait of hormuz, which already blocks roughly a fifth of global crude and LNG flows. Before the war, the waterway carried around a fifth of global crude oil and LNG shipments.
Any sign that the conflict is widening to port infrastructure could lift shipping and oil supply risk premiums. That includes sites around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.
Trump has said the two sides are close to a deal. However, little concrete progress has been reported since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April. Iran wants sanctions lifted, frozen assets released and formal recognition of its authority over Hormuz. Washington says any deal must stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said shipping traffic through the waterway is increasing. He also said it could take many months for traffic to return to normal after hostilities end.
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