Washington: The US began blockading all Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, even as Tehran threatened to hit back. The tensions between both the countries
further hit after the failure of the recent peace talks between the two countries in Pakistan. The blockade was announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday.
As per his announcement, the blockade takes effect at 10 am ET (7:30 pm India time). Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat”. He added, “If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
Why US announced blockade on Strait of Hormuz?
According to US officials, the blockade was initiated to force Iran to open the crucial water and accept a peace agreement. Iran, on the other hand, threatened with tough actions against all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Responding to his threat, Iran hit back by saying that the blockade would only impact the global economy. Taking to X, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei wrote, “Can an illegal ‘war of choice’ be won through a “revenge of choice’ against the global economy?!Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!”
Escalation of tensions further threatens global economy
The latest round of conflicts between Iran and the US over the waterway has threatened further impact on the global economy. Tensions in the Middle East started after Israel and the US conducted a joint operation against Iran on February 28.
While it was not clear whether the blockade started at the designated time of 10 a.m. EDT, a notice to mariners issued by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency minutes letter. In its letter, the agency said that restrictions included “the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure.” The notice further said that transit through the strait “to or from non-Iranian destinations is not reported to be impeded by these measures.”
Iran had earlier closed the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions and conflicts with the US. The closure results in a severe impact on the global economy with several ships carrying crude oil and other items passing through the waterway to different countries. Iran subsequently announced tolls for ships passing through this region. Trump, however, slammed the move and announced a blockade of the waterway.
