Iran-US Shipping Conflict Spirals Out of Control

The Strait of Hormuz has become a hotspot for military clashes between Iran and the US. The latest wave of tit-for-tat attacks saw Iran target 10 ships near the strategic waterway, while the US sank five Iranian oil tankers in response.

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), they would sharply escalate their response if attacked further, with a ratio of 20 targets hit for every two or three struck. The IRGC also announced plans to establish a new, larger off-limits zone at sea that could extend as far as the Persian Gulf.

The US claimed the attacks were in retaliation for ballistic missiles fired by Iran targeting a US Navy warship twice over the previous two days. No Americans were harmed, according to Washington.