Hormuz Conflict Escalates as US and Iran Trade Blows
The conflict between the US and Iran has escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides trading blows. On Sunday, Iran claimed to have struck an unmanned US vessel trying to enter the strait, but the US military dismissed the claim as a 'total lie.'
The incident comes after the US said it had struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Navy warships being targeted with ballistic missiles. This marks a dangerous escalation of the conflict, which has seen both sides trying to inflict military and economic pain on each other.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright estimated that 9 million barrels of oil per day are still passing through the Strait of Hormuz, exceeding average flows over the past 28 days. However, this depends on the presence of the US Navy to escort tankers and provide protection against possible Iranian attack.