Shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz remained severely disrupted on Wednesday as Iran intensified actions aimed at blocking the critical waterway, including attacks on tankers and suspected mine-laying operations
Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply after reports that Iran had begun laying naval mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, prompting warnings from President Donald Trump and US military strikes against suspected mine-laying vessels.
US President Donald Trump on Monday that the war against Iran could end soon, but threatened to escalate if Iran blocked oil shipments from the Middle East.
Aramco warned the Strait of Hormuz disruption from the Iran war could have “catastrophic consequences” for global oil markets and trigger ripple effects across shipping, insurance, aviation, agriculture and automotive industries.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Saturday that no vessel would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
At least three tankers were damaged off the Gulf coast after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation that put merchant ships at risk of collateral damage, Reuters said quoting shipping sources and officials.
