United States forces have intensified attacks against Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz region in recent hours, the head of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, reported this Friday (20), when detailing an ongoing operation that seeks to reopen the main maritime route for world oil, blocked by threats from Iran since the start of the war on February 28.
According to the general, US A-10 Warthog attack planes and Apache helicopters are carrying out combat missions against fast vessels, drones and Iranian military positions along the Gulf Coast, in an offensive that is part of a multi-stage Pentagon plan to reduce threats that impede navigation through the strait. According to Caine, the aircraft are operating on the “southern flank” of the operation, attacking armed boats used to intimidate commercial ships. The general also said that Apache helicopters operated by “allies” of the United States are being used to intercept Iranian drones, although he did not identify who those allies were.
According to Defense Department officials, the campaign also includes bombings against bases and missile batteries controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, responsible for defending the strait.
Earlier, United States President Donald Trump criticized the refusal of countries allied with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to support the military operation against Iran and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a post made on his social network, the republican stated that the alliance partners avoid getting involved in the conflict despite the global impact of blocking the sea route.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the most sensitive point in global energy trade. About 20% of the oil transported by sea passes through the region, which is only about 40 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. The blockade imposed by Iran caused the price of a barrel of oil to rise above US$100, putting pressure on governments and markets around the world.
According to the newspaper The Wall Street Journalthe Pentagon also deployed another 2,000 marines this week to the Middle East, which could be used to occupy strategic islands near the Iranian coast or guarantee the safety of navigation if the passage is reopened.
