Translated with AI
The British newspaper The Guardian reports that the United States will likely not use missiles and bombs as part of the operation to block the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the publication, the US Navy will likely not strike Iranian oil tankers attempting to leave the Persian Gulf. This conclusion is based on expert opinion.
It is noted that the most likely scenario is an attempt by the US Navy to force the ships to change course through threats. If this fails, armed boarding parties are expected to physically seize the vessels.
Experts emphasize that attacks on tankers could lead to a large-scale environmental disaster due to a possible oil spill.
The newspaper also notes that the US military is not yet disclosing details of the operation, including the number of warships involved, the possibility of using aircraft, and the participation of allies in the Persian Gulf.
Dana Strole, a former senior Pentagon official during the Joe Biden administration and now a representative of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the initiative requires quick results, but its implementation is fraught with difficulties.
She noted that the mission is difficult to accomplish alone and may prove unviable in the medium and long term.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation to block the Strait of Hormuz will begin on Monday at 10:00 a.m. East Coast Time, which corresponds to 5:00 p.m. Moscow time.
At the same time, the command emphasized that American forces will not impede freedom of navigation for tankers traveling through the strait to non-Iranian ports and back.
