Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : London, UK – In a clear sign of escalating tensions in the Middle East, two massive crude oil supertankers have abruptly turned away from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. The dramatic move highlights growing fears of Iranian retaliation following a suspected Israeli airstrike that killed a senior Iranian general in Syria earlier this week.
The vessels, identified by vessel-tracking services as the Calida and the Vouros, were en route to Basra, Iraq, to load crude oil. However, they reversed their course in the Gulf of Oman just before entering the strait, a strategic chokepoint where Iran has previously harassed and seized commercial ships.
The maritime anxiety stems directly from vows of revenge from Tehran after Seyed Razi Mousavi, a high-ranking commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in Damascus. The Strait of Hormuz, the gateway for about a fifth of the world's oil supply, is seen as a potential flashpoint for any Iranian response.
This incident unfolds against the tense backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has already seen Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. The sudden course correction by the supertankers indicates that shipping companies are now taking extreme precautions to avoid becoming targets in a wider regional conflict.
In response to the heightened threats across the region, the United States has positioned significant naval assets, including the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group, in the area to deter attacks and ensure the freedom of navigation.
The situation remains volatile, with the global shipping and energy industries on high alert. Any disruption to the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz could send shockwaves through energy markets, potentially leading to a sharp spike in global prices.
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