On the Map: The Situation in the Strait of Hormuz Two Days After America Reimposes Blockade on Iranian Ports
(CNN)-- Two days after the return of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, here are the latest developments about the situation in the important waterway:
Oil tanker disabled: The United States announced Wednesday that it disabled an empty oil tanker heading towards the Iranian island of Kharg, by firing Hellfire missiles at the ship's smokestack. The US Central Command said on platform X that the ship - flying the flag of Curaçao - had "ignored multiple warnings."
Ship diversions: The US military announced it diverted two "compliant" commercial vessels during the first 24 hours of the blockade. During the first US blockade period, which lasted from mid-April to mid-June, Central Command reported it diverted 142 ships and disabled nine others.
US strikes on Tonb Island: The US military launched a 90-minute wave of strikes Wednesday on Greater Tonb Island, targeting - with precision-guided munitions - coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites, according to the US Central Command. Greater Tonb Island is one of the small islands near the western entrance of the strait, contributing to Iran's "arc defense line." The United States stated that the goal of these strikes is to weaken Iran's ability to attack ships passing through the strait.
Limited traffic: At least 13 commercial vessels crossed the strait during the first 24 hours of the blockade, according to MarineTraffic data, and these figures align with the low transit levels recorded in recent days since the collapse of negotiations.
Original source: CNN Arabic
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