CENTCOM: 138 Vessels Redirected in Hormuz Blockade as Iran War Passes Eight Months
A container ship sank, 50,000-plus U.S. troops are in the region, and Tehran says the strait reopens when America leaves.
U.S. Central Command says American forces have redirected 138 commercial vessels while enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, according to a Fox News live blog updated October 17. CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said about 97% of ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz do so without being hit.
The strait is still dangerous. The container ship GFS Pride sank after an attack, and Reuters counts more than 80 targets in Gulf countries hit at least 135 times by Iranian missiles and drones since February. Iran's government says the strait will reopen if the United States leaves the region. More than 50,000 American troops are stationed there.
The war began in February. A ceasefire in April and an agreement in June both collapsed. This week President Trump floated resuming military operations after the November 3 midterms, while Iranian officials said talks were at a standstill, as reported in other live coverage.
Why it matters: roughly a fifth of the world's oil moves through Hormuz. Brent crude settled at $109.86 on Friday, and U.S. gasoline averages $4.33. Americans are paying for the conflict at the pump even though ground combat has not come to U.S. soil.
Open questions: whether the blockade can hold without further escalation, and what the administration is willing to trade for a settlement. CENTCOM figures are military self-reports; Iranian claims are likewise unverified. We will follow developments.
Facts above are attributed to the linked reporting. Statements in a source's own opinion section are labeled as commentary. We correct errors promptly.
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