US tightens sanctions on Iran, Tehran retaliates.

Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as the US imposes further sanctions on Iran related to the Strait of Hormuz, amid Tehran's claim that it fired warning shots at ships attempting to navigate the strategic waterway without coordinating with Iranian security forces.

Ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on May 27th the imposition of sanctions on the Iranian agency responsible for controlling maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department, the "Persian Straits Administration" has been added to the special sanctions list.

Washington's latest move comes amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz, significantly impacting global shipping and energy markets. Hormuz is currently one of the world's most important shipping lanes for oil and gas exports.

According to international sources, the conflict in the Middle East has led to serious disruptions to maritime activities in the region, potentially impacting global energy supplies and driving up fuel prices and the prices of many industrial goods in numerous countries.

In the latest development, Iran's state-run Broadcasting and Television (IRIB) reported that Iranian forces fired warning shots on May 27th at four ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iranian security forces. According to IRIB, the ships were ordered to stop but failed to comply, forcing Iran to fire warning shots to order them to turn back. No further information is available regarding the identities and nationalities of the ships involved.

Tensions continued to escalate after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on May 28 that it had launched an attack on a US military base in retaliation for Washington's airstrikes in southern Iran.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the Middle East, the targeted US air base is believed to be the origin of the attack on the area near Bandar Abbas airport earlier that day. The IRGC did not disclose the specific location of the attacked base. However, Kuwait – a US ally in the region – said it was responding to missile and drone attacks that occurred on the morning of May 28.

The tit-for-tat exchanges between Washington and Tehran are casting a shadow over the fragile ceasefire agreement between the two sides. Four days earlier, US President Donald Trump said that an agreement to extend the ceasefire for another 60 days between the US and Iran was almost complete.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands announced it would deploy the minesweeper HNLMS Willemstad to the Mediterranean as part of the NATO maritime task force, while also leaving open the possibility of deploying the ship to the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.

Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius said the Dutch government is working with allies to consider options for increasing its presence in the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic shipping lane for global oil and gas trade.

Earlier, military leaders from around 40 countries attended a meeting co-chaired by the UK and France to discuss measures to ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement following the meeting indicated that maintaining freedom of navigation through this route could contribute to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran.

THANH PHUONG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/my-siet-trung-phat-iran-tehran-tan-cong-tra-dua-a205749.html