American forces this week attacked targets in Iran and the Iranian military subsequently declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. President Trump’s “deal” seems a long way off.
As the US command center Centcom announced on X, American units fired on several targets in Iran on Thursday night, including near the capital Tehran. This was a reaction to Iran’s “unjustified and ongoing” aggression; Centcom justified the maneuvers as “self-defense”.
“The ceasefire in the Hormuz crisis has fully broken down,” commented shipping analyst Lars Jensen, who regularly reports on the situation in the Persian Gulf on Linkedin.
In addition to the country’s military infrastructure and communication systems, the US also attacked a tanker anchored off the coast of Oman. It was reportedly the 183-meter-long “Settebello”, built in 1997 and sailing under the Palau flag. According to the UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO), there was one fatality in the attack and three crew members are missing. This is the first death of a seafarer caused by US attacks. Iranian attacks have claimed ten lives so far.
Dominguez: “This is simply unacceptable”
The Iranian military responded with counter-attacks. Iran is currently attacking targets in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed again; the military reported two hits against oil tankers attempting to cross the strait. However, there has been no official confirmation to date.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reacted with horror to the latest incidents. “I strongly condemn any action by any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domiguez. “This is simply unacceptable.”
Shortly before, Dominguez had strongly criticized the ongoing voyages through the Strait of Hormuz. He said there was no economic justification for putting the lives of seafarers at risk. This criticism has already proved justified again tonight. According to IMO reports, there have been 43 attacks on international shipping in the region since the war began on February 28.
Iran claims control of strait
According to Iran, it was recently possible to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after making arrangements and possibly paying a fee. The country claims control of the strait for itself. However, the USA does not accept this. According to Centcom, the Strait remains open and passage for merchant ships is guaranteed. “Merchant ships are still entering and leaving the Strait of Hormuz tonight,” the command said on X. Iranian media disagreed. US President Trump also claimed that the Americans were in control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The ceasefire had been ignored several times over the past two months; this time, however, Trump accused Iran of a particularly serious breach. In addition to the high level of violence, the current escalation is also surprising – at least if you believe Trump’s words from the last few weeks. When asked by several US media outlets, the President had repeatedly claimed that talks with Iran were proceeding constructively. Again and again, he promised that a “deal” with his opponent was imminent; Iran was “desperate to make a deal”. Such a deal, a peace in the region, currently seems further away than ever before. (JW)
