Iran is escalating the war by attacking ships along a key oil route. Here’s what we know.
A satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman that links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Iran might be outgunned and outspent by the US and Israel but it has one major advantage — its control over the Strait of Hormuz. By attacking ships navigating the narrow waterway, Iran has effectively shut the route, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The UK’s maritime agency said Thursday another vessel in the Persian Gulf was struck, the sixth in two days. Tehran has also reportedly mined the strait, further deterring ships from attempting passage and marking a new escalation in the war. What is Iran doing? In recent days, Iran has begun laying a few dozen mines in the strait, according to two people familiar with US intelligence on the matter. The mining is not extensive, but Iran still maintains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and minelayers, one source told CNN, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s cla...
