Truce threatened

AN open confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday severely imperiled a fragile ceasefire in the Gulf region, as US and Iranian forces exchanged fire, triggering attacks on shipping and regional oil infrastructure and raising fears of wider escalation already rippling through global energy markets. The attacks follow US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian and US accounts of the latest clashes diverge sharply, with both sides accusing each other of provocation while claiming operational success. The happenings on Monday resembled a mini or targeted war aimed at controlling the strategically located Strait of Hormuz, which could trigger resumption of full-fledged hostilities any time with dreaded consequences not only for the two countries but also the economy of the world. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces “blew up” six Iranian boats after Tehran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boat attacks targeting US Navy vessels and commercial shipping passing through the vitally important waterway. The CENTCOM chief also stated that US forces “effectively engaged” incoming missiles and drones directed at both naval and civilian targets. Iran, however, outright rejected the claim that its boats were destroyed. The US reported that two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the critical waterway as part of a new safeguarding initiative. But Iranian Revolutionary Guard-linked statements insisted that no commercial vessels had crossed the Strait in the reported timeframe. President Trump defended the US operation under what he has termed “Project Freedom”, aimed at securing maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the US forces were guiding ships safely through the waterway and claimed Iranian actions had resulted in limited damage. Trump later escalated his rhetoric, warning Iranian forces they would be “blown off the face of th