US Media: US Military Escorts 40 Cargo Ships Through the Strait on Tuesday, Each Carrying 18 Million Barrels of Oil

BlockBeats News, September 3rd, according to CNN citing two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the U.S. military escorted 40 oil tankers carrying 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, setting a new wartime record. Earlier, the U.S. engaged in a new round of confrontation with Iran on Tuesday.

According to the two officials, the U.S. deployed various air, sea, and space forces to continue to strike Iran's ability to attack ships in the strait, while also repelling multiple rounds of drone attacks and providing high-risk escort for these oil-laden vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil. One official said that the U.S. military also intercepted and destroyed anti-ship cruise missiles during the escort operation. According to the officials, this operation comes as the U.S. is adjusting its war strategy.

The Trump administration currently places a priority on targeting objects around the strait, escorting ships through this key waterway, and maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports as part of the "maximum pressure" campaign to exert greater economic pressure on the Iranian regime leadership. Despite the success of Tuesday's operation, U.S. officials do not believe that the conflict is about to be resolved quickly. Even with U.S. military escort, energy companies remain concerned about the significant risks involved in sending ships through the Strait of Hormuz.