The Danish company Maersk reported that its vessel passed through the Strait of Hormuz under the protection of US military forces. Against the backdrop of CENTCOM operations, tensions in the region have sharply increased.
The Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk confirmed that its vessel passed through the Strait of Hormuz under the protection of American military forces, and all crew members are "safe and unharmed," reports Interfax on May 5.
According to Maersk, the vessel Alliance Fairfax has been stranded in the Persian Gulf since the beginning of the war in February, but the US "offered the vessel the opportunity to exit the Gulf under the protection of American military forces."
Since the start of the blockade, the US Navy has intercepted 50 Iran-related commercial vessels, reported the US Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM).
"To date, 50 commercial vessels have been redirected by American forces to ensure compliance with the blockade," CENTCOM stated.
According to CENTCOM, American combat helicopters destroyed two Iranian military boats near the Strait of Hormuz during Operation Freedom to escort commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf.
"Sea Hawk helicopters and AH-64 Apache helicopters of the US Army were used to destroy Iranian small vessels that threatened commercial shipping," CENTCOM reported.
The Iranian agency Tasnim, citing a source, reports that the US attacked cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in five fatalities.
CBS News, citing Pentagon officials, reports that on Monday, two US Navy destroyers came under intense attack from Iranian forces in the strait while heading to carry out a mission in the Persian Gulf. Iranian forces used missiles, drones, and fast military boats against the destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason, which were passing through the strait under the cover of fighter jets and Apache support helicopters. No American ships were hit, sources emphasized.
To enforce the blockade, the US has concentrated a powerful naval group in the Arabian Sea southeast of Iran, consisting of two aircraft carriers, three large amphibious ships with an expeditionary battalion of Marines on board, 13 missile destroyers, and several mine sweepers.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz is rapidly escalating: attacks, vessel interceptions, and an increase in military presence are being recorded, writes bb.lv. The key trade route remains a high-risk area, which could impact global supplies and shipping security.
