IRGC navy says it hit seven tankers in five days in Hormuz; Trump says war will end soon

Military and maritime tension in the Middle East has taken a dangerous turn once again. Missile and drone attacks on international oil tankers are continuing in the Strait of Hormuz, regarded as one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued an official statement saying it targeted at least seven merchant vessels and oil tankers in the past five days for violating maritime rules. According to an Iranian state news agency report, the Iranian navy is successfully targeting, on average, more than one international oil tanker a day. The incidents have again raised serious questions over the global energy supply chain and maritime security.

This comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is completely safe, open and under the control of the American military. But the actual situation at sea and Iran's aggressive posture openly challenge his claims. According to a report by MenchOsint, an international observer that tracks independent military activity, two large oil tankers suffered massive explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. One vessel was hit with great precision while entering the strait and the other while leaving it.

The report adds that Kuwaiti oil vessels passing through Hormuz have come under heavy attack in the past four to five days. These include the Kuwaiti tankers Al Fantas and Kazimah. Three major merchant vessels of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were also targeted, including Sindbad, Mersin Prosperity and Al Ruwais. The attacks have slowed shipping in the Persian Gulf, and several global shipping companies have begun rerouting their vessels or halting voyages through the route.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump claimed that the intense war with Iran would end soon and by any means. He was on a Texas visit and, after touring the Peterbilt Motors plant in Denton, said how and when the conflict ends now depends entirely on Iran's stance. Trump also claimed that once the war ends, crude oil prices in the international market would fall considerably and ordinary people would get major relief from inflation.

Trump also launched a sharp attack on Iran's internal economic condition. He said Iran is a country that has been completely weakened and ruined on both the military and economic fronts. According to him, inflation in Iran has hit a historic high of 301 per cent, there is a severe shortage of cash and the currency has collapsed. Trump said Iran's main army has been defeated and its navy and air force have been completely destroyed, so it has no strength left to fight a long war.

However, contrary to these claims by Trump, the aggression shown by the IRGC navy in Hormuz indicates that the conflict in the Middle East is not going to subside soon.