US says it can keep naval blockade as two more ships hit in Hormuz
Two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the United States to warn it can sustain an indefinite naval blockade of Iran.
On Friday, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz almost stopped after two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels were attacked, with the United Arab Emirates attributing the strikes to Iran. A senior Iranian source reported that negotiations to build on a June cease-fire agreement have stalled. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the Navy can keep a rotating blockade of Iran indefinitely, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for unprecedented economic sanctions to be announced next week.
Ship-tracking shows only nine vessels passed the strait on Thursday, far below the pre-war daily average of over 130. Analysts say Iran’s leverage stems from its ability to restrict this crucial oil route. An Iranian parliamentary committee has approved a plan to ban transit of assets from the US, Israel and other hostile nations, and the US has reimposed its own blockade after a brief June lift.
Why it matters
Disruptions in Hormuz threaten global oil flow and signal escalating US-Iran tensions.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the Hormuz situation as a prolonged stalemate with diplomatic initiatives and economic pressures, while centrist coverage emphasizes the U.S. claim it can maintain a naval blockade and upcoming sanctions amid sharply reduced ship traffic.
LEFT
Frames the story as a lingering stalemate with diplomatic efforts and economic impacts on oil and other goods.
CENTER
Frames the story around the U.S. ability to sustain a naval blockade and impending sanctions, highlighting the drastic drop in traffic.
The left emphasises
- the Gulf is trapped in a state of neither war nor peace
- roughly 15 million barrels per day still flow, keeping oil prices under $100
- Pakistan is pushing for a renewed 60-day pause under a new U.S.-Iran framework
How this story developed
- Aug 7 Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan forge new defence pact amid escalating regional conflict
- Aug 9 Iran and Oman agreed on a framework for the Strait of Hormuz on the same day the Mecca defence pact was signed.
- Aug 10 Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said the pact does not target Iran and named Israel as the regional adversary.
- Aug 13 The secretariat for the pact will be based in the city where it was signed.
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