US expects to continue strikes near Strait of Hormuz: CNN

• US forces escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to CNN.
• The US military expects to continue offensive strikes near the strait as Iran rebuilds its ability to threaten commercial shipping.

The US military expects to continue launching offensive strikes near the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to weaken Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping, CNN reported, citing US officials familiar with the operations.

US forces escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying about 18 million barrels of oil through the strait on Tuesday, marking the highest level of wartime shipping escorts, according to the report.

The United States used air, naval and space assets to counter waves of Iranian drone attacks during the escorts and neutralized anti-ship cruise missiles targeting commercial vessels.

US officials said continued strikes are expected in part because Iran has demonstrated an ability to rebuild its military capabilities, requiring ongoing efforts to degrade its capacity to threaten shipping.

One US official compared the operations to “mowing the grass” or a game of “whack-a-mole,” aimed at repeatedly weakening Iranian capabilities.

CNN reported that the US blockade has prevented Iran from exporting oil since July, while US officials argue that the Strait of Hormuz is becoming a less valuable strategic asset for Tehran.

However, the actual volume of oil crossing the strait may be higher than reported, as vessels increasingly switch off their transponders to avoid detection. Most, if not all, of the 40 commercial ships that crossed on Tuesday reportedly did so.

LNG carriers and other vessels transporting energy products are taking greater precautions because an attack involving an Iranian drone, mine or missile could have catastrophic consequences.

CNN said commercial shipping companies are largely making decisions to cross the strait on a case-by-case basis, while the industry continues to seek additional assurances that the route is safe.

US officials expect operations to take time and sustained effort as the military works through its remaining list of Iranian military targets and seeks to convince shipping companies that transit is safe.

The report also noted increased support from regional partners for escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz. Among Tuesday’s vessels were ships flying the flags of Saudi Arabia and France.

A source familiar with oil industry dynamics questioned the credibility of the administration’s reported shipping increases, saying that even if daily increases are genuine, few industry figures believe average shipping volumes have risen significantly.