US blockade of Strait of Hormuz is ‘easy enough for them to do’ but at what cost?
Analysts believe plan to target Iran’s economic lifeline is well within US Navy’s capabilities, but warn this may prompt a military response
US Central Command said on Sunday that a blockade on ships “entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas” would take effect at 10am US Eastern Time on Monday along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
It also said it would not impede vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports, a step back from US President Donald Trump’s claim that there would be a full blockade.
Around 20 per cent of the global oil trade relies on the strait, which has been closed to all but a handful of ships since the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran began on February 28.
Yue Gang, a retired People’s Liberation Army colonel and military commentator, said the US could position its warships outside the 300-400km (185- to 250-mile) range of Iran’s anti-ship missiles – to interdict vessels bound for Iranian ports and target Tehran’s economic lifeline.