Write For Us

Why U.S.-Iran Tensions Are On The Rise In The Persian Gulf

Sponsored Post Vitamin D2 Canada Persia
48 Views

  • Thanks! Share it with your friends!

    You disliked this video. Thanks for the feedback!

ava
Published
Over the last decade, Iran has been causing more and more headaches for oil tanker operators in the Strait of Hormuz, a central artery of global trade. In the last two years alone, Iran has harassed, attacked or interfered with 15 internationally flagged merchant vessels.

This critical waterway separates the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea, which makes it an important conduit for millions of barrels of oil that flow through the region.

"These tanker seizures, whether this is a sheer coincidence or not, is happening around the time that we have just passed the five-year anniversary of the Trump administration withdrawing from the nuclear deal," said Arona Baigal, research assistant for the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

In the most recent incidents, Iran alleges that the tankers Niovi and Purity were seized over separate legal disputes regarding ownership, and that the Advantage Sweet was taken due to a collision with an Iranian ship. In response to Iranian ship seizures, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for security in the region, announced an increase in patrols. That included the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton transiting the strait in late May.

"When you do beef up your presence, you increase your size as a target," said Victoria Coates, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. "And with the Iranians feeling quite emboldened now, one has to worry about the possibility that they will lash out on a larger scale."

Watch the video above to find out more about why this critical waterway remains key to the global economy, and why Iran's threats to maritime traffic in the region are raising tensions with the U.S.

Produced by: Brad Howard
Supervising Producer: Jeff Morganteen
Graphics by: Alex Wood
Additional Reporting by: Lori Ann LaRocco

» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC

#CNBC

Why Iran Keeps Seizing Oil Tankers In The Strait Of Hormuz
Category
Tech
Tags
CNBC, CNBC original, business
Sign in or sign up to post comments.
Be the first to comment