A Tanker Just Caught Fire Near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran is Smirking
Just as the U.S. and Iran are trying to negotiate, someone shot a projectile at an oil tanker. If you had "maritime extortion" on your geopolitics bingo card for this week, congratulations.
An unidentified tanker got hit just off the coast of Oman, sparking a fire on board. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and there’s no massive oil spill yet. But the timing is hilariously terrible.
Iran's state media immediately pointed fingers at a Qatari ship called Al Rekayyat, claiming it ignored their warnings about taking the "wrong" route. Oh, and they claim the ship was being escorted by the U.S. Navy.
This comes right after Iran literally set up their own "Strait Authority" and warned everyone that if they don't use approved Iranian routes, their security "cannot be ensured." It’s the maritime equivalent of a mobster saying, "Nice boat, would be a shame if something happened to it."
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is trying to negotiate freedom of navigation in the area.
Apparently, the diplomatic talks in Doha are going about as well as a campfire in a hurricane.
Source: IRIB News
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