①The strategic contest between the US and Iran for control over the Strait of Hormuz continues; ②Moreover, it is reported that the US military would require six months to complete mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz; ③The latest developments have cast further shadows over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, undermining hopes for the resumption of this critical shipping route.
Cailian Press, April 23 (Edited by Bian Chun) Although US President Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, easing the risk of a significant escalation in hostilities, the strategic contest between the US and Iran for control over the Strait of Hormuz persists.
According to reports, three vessels were intercepted by Iran in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the US military stated that it has instructed 31 vessels to turn back or return to port since the blockade began. Moreover, it is reported that the US military would require six months to complete mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest developments have cast further shadows over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, undermining hopes for the resumption of this critical shipping route.
Escalation of US-Iran maritime standoff
Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is facing a 'dual blockade' by the US and Iran. Iran initially blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the onset of the conflict, briefly reopened it, but soon re-blockaded the waterway. Following the collapse of the first round of negotiations, the US formally implemented a 'blockade order' on Iranian ports starting April 13, aiming to counter Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and break the negotiation deadlock.
Prior to the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through this waterway.
According to reports from CCTV News and other media outlets, the US Central Command recently stated that since commencing the blockade operation in the waters related to the Strait of Hormuz on April 14, the US military has instructed 31 vessels to turn back or return to port. The US Central Command also noted that the US military is currently deploying 'the most comprehensive and powerful military force ever' across the entire Middle East region.
According to Iranian reports on April 22 local time, a total of three vessels were intercepted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters on that day. Reports indicated that two vessels belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) were intercepted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and failed to pass through. Additionally, a vessel registered in Greece was also intercepted and remains stationed in waters off the coast of Iran.
At present, the timing of the second round of US-Iran talks remains uncertain. The US blockade of Iran has become one of the key obstacles hindering bilateral negotiations.
Iran's Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and chief negotiator, Kalibaf, stated on the evening of the 22nd that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the maritime blockade is lifted and the 'global economic coercion' ceases. He emphasized that under the circumstances of the US openly violating the ceasefire agreement, it would be impossible to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, the US Central Command announced on the 19th that the US military fired upon an Iranian cargo ship attempting to break through the blockade and head to Iran's Abbas Port on the same day, disabling its propulsion. US Marines subsequently boarded and took control of the vessel. The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 21st strongly condemning the US attack on the Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on the 19th and demanded that the US immediately release the detained vessel and its crew.
A senior official of the Pakistani government stated on the 22nd that Pakistan has called on the US to end the maritime blockade against Iran to advance the currently stalled US-Iran negotiations. This official mentioned that they have received information from the US side indicating that the detained Iranian vessel might be released. Pakistan also hopes that the US will release the detained Iranian crew members. It remains unclear when the detained vessel and crew will be released.
Mine clearance will take six months.
Meanwhile, according to reports, the Pentagon disclosed that it would take the US military six months to fully clear the mines laid by the Iranian military in the Strait of Hormuz, and the mine-clearing operations are unlikely to commence before the end of the conflict.
According to the report, a senior official of the US Department of Defense made the aforementioned assessment during a classified briefing for members of the House Armed Services Committee on the same day.
Informed officials stated that lawmakers were informed that Iran may have laid 20 or more mines in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters. Some mines were deployed remotely using satellite positioning system technology, making it difficult for the US military to detect them at the time of deployment; another portion of the mines was laid by the Iranian military using small vessels.
According to reports, after the US and Israel launched the war, the Iranian army began laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz in March. According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency, Iran possesses over 5,000 mines, which, considering the shallow waters and narrow shipping lanes of the strait, could prove highly effective.
It remains unclear how the US military will clear the mines, but some officials noted that drones and helicopters could be viable options.
This timeline has frustrated lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties as it implies that the impact of the ongoing conflict on the US economy, particularly fuel prices, could persist until later this year or even longer.
According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of gasoline in the United States on Wednesday was $4.02 per gallon, significantly higher than the approximately $2.98 before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
Ongoing disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could weaken the Republican Party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections. The majority of Americans do not support this war, and a recent poll showed that more than half of voters believe Trump bears significant responsibility for the surge in gasoline prices.
Editor/Deng