Will Iran block Strait of Hormuz?

Islam Mohamed

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategic waterways in the world as it connects the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The Iranian government thinks it has the right to close the strait, and it has threatened has threatened to block if it faces sanctions on crude exports.

A number of confrontations took place between the US and Iran in the Gulf. On April 14, 1988 a guided missile frigate struck a mine. The explosion blew a 4.5 meter hole in the frigate. However, the US Navy saved the frigate.

On April 18, the US launched an attack on Iranian targets with a number of warships, i.e. aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, and her cruiser escort, USS Truxtun.

The battle was the largest of the five major US surface engagements since the World War II.

The US Navy and Air Force destroyed Iranian naval and intelligence targets on two oil platforms, and sank at least 4 Iranian boats and one frigate. In 1986 Iran bombed a US oil tanker, which had the Kuwaiti flag. The US Navy destroyed two Iranian oil platforms.