US preparing raids on oil tankers linked to Iran
Фото: Reuters
The US military is preparing to conduct raids on Iranian-linked oil tankers in international waters, sources said, adding that the raids could begin in the coming days as part of an expansion of US naval operations.
This is reported by The Wall Street Journal .
According to US officials, the military is planning to board commercial vessels linked to Iran with the aim of seizing them outside the Middle East.
These measures are part of the policy of US President Donald Trump’s administration to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
It is expected that such actions should force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions on the issue of its nuclear program.
In addition, the US seeks to take control of vessels linked to Iran, particularly those transporting oil or weapons outside the Persian Gulf.
The US Treasury Department previously expanded the sanctions list to include additional vessels, companies and individuals associated with the trade in Iranian oil.
The District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office said they are working to expose networks supporting the Iranian regime and to file arrest warrants for vessels.
It is noted that previously the US military had already intercepted ships carrying oil from Venezuela in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine, said that the US would pursue any vessel flying the Iranian flag or one that provides support to Iran.
“The United States will actively pursue any vessel flying the Iranian flag or attempting to provide support to Iran,” Kane said.
According to him, this will also apply to vessels of the so-called shadow fleet that transport Iranian oil.
These actions are expected to be a new phase in the US pressure campaign on Tehran, which the Trump administration has dubbed “Economic Fury.”
Earlier, it was reported that Iran had opened the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels for the duration of the truce between Israel and Lebanon. This decision was part of the ceasefire agreements and affected the safety of shipping in the region.
Subsequently, Iran announced the renewal of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz , as the US refused to lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf.
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