US Begins Its Own Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US began its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday as the war in Iran continues. 

The Details: According to a senior official, over 15 US warships are in place to support the operation. President Trump said on Monday the blockade was part of his effort to force Tehran to open the strait and accept a ceasefire deal. He has also said he'll bar ships that plan to enter Iranian ports and any ships that paid Iranian tolls for safe passage through the strait. In turn, Iran threatened all ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The Associated Press (Left bias) reported two tankers approaching the strait on Monday turned around when the blockade began.

Response From Allies: Trump told reporters on Sunday that other countries would be helping the US' blockade, however none have been confirmed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday the UK is "not supporting" the US' blockade, and French President Emmanuel Macron and the UK have said they would co-host a conference in coming days to discuss reopening the strait. Reuters (Center) reported the refusal to help will "likely anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance." 

For Context: Iran and the US failed to come to a ceasefire agreement over the weekend. As of Monday, a second round of negotiations were underway, according to the Associated Press. On March 27, it reported Iran had begun something similar to a "toll booth" in the strait where ships were vetted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards and two vessels reported paying for passage through.

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum emphasized the global economic implications. Wall Street Journal (Center) said the blockade sets up "a risky new showdown," and noted it could impact Iran's food imports. The Atlantic (Left) said the "US believes that it needs to wage a new kind of war…by targeting Iran's economy." It wrote the war's outcome "may be decided on [who] blinks first from the economic pain" and said the rest of the world will "suffer prolonged economic pain." Fox News (Right) interviewed a former CENTCOM commander who said the blockade offers the US "economic power" as Iran's economy is impacted. He also discussed the US clearing out Iranian mines in the strait as part of the blockade. BBC (Center) quoted Vice President JD Vance calling Iran's blockade of the strait an "act of economic terrorism." 

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