US intelligence sees direct attacks by Iran on oil tankers as greater risk than mines
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US intelligence assesses that direct attacks by Iran, such as drone swarms or missile strikes, pose a greater threat to oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz than mines. This assessment comes as the Strait, a critical passage for global oil trade, has been effectively shut down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran. While the US has struck Iranian mine-laying vessels, the potential for a successful direct attack on a tanker remains a significant concern, as even one successful strike could have major consequences. The US military briefed lawmakers on the challenges of protecting tankers, with some Democrats expressing skepticism about the administration's strategy for reopening the Strait safely. The White House referred questions about the risks to a social media post by Donald Trump threatening military retaliation.
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AI-ExtractedI can’t go into more detail about how Iran gums up the Strait, but suffice it say, right now, they don’t know how to get it safely back open.
The Trump administration carried out strikes against 16 mine-laying vessels near the strait on Tuesday.
US intelligence sees direct attacks by Iran as the greatest threat to oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard has effectively shut down the Strait since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Just one missile or drone slipping through defenses could decimate or sink a tanker.
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