US attempt to open Strait of Hormuz tests fragile Iran war ceasefire

[Dulcinea]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Iran war risked reigniting after the U.S. tried to force open the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, though a ceasefire seemed to be holding Tuesday even after the United Arab Emirates said Iran fired missiles and drones at it.

It is unclear what will follow after an American attempt to end Iran’s stranglehold on the strait by creating an “enhanced security area.” A prominent Iranian official accused the U.S. of undermining regional security with the effort and warned that Iran will respond.

The U.S. military said two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday, and that it fired on Iranian forces, sinking six small boats that were targeting vessels. It remained to be seen if any more ships would cross on Tuesday.

Ship tracking data showed a Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker heading toward the center of the strait Tuesday morning after leaving an anchorage in the Persian Gulf, though it was unclear if it would try to pass through. The tanker had a stated destination of Singapore, according to the MarineTraffic ship tracking site.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-negotiations-strait-hormuz-b8a77d16945085e5a5039032a55b3a90