The price of oil continues to soar, Gulf countries have been forced to reduce or halt their production, and chaos spreads across the Middle East. Pressed by a situation slipping out of his control, U.S. President Donald Trump is urgently seeking ways to contain the economic bleeding, Iranian retaliations against his interests and allies, and above all, to reopen passage through the Strait of Hormuz, through which up to 20% of the world's oil transits. This weekend, he took three simultaneous steps. The first, attacking the island of Jark, the core of the Iranian refinery, where over 90% of oil for exports passes. The second, in his own way, calling for an international naval operation to ensure ship safety. The third, announcing the deployment of an additional 2,500 marines in the region.
"Many countries, especially those affected by Iran's attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships —in coordination with the United States of America— to keep the strait open and secure. We have already destroyed 100% of Iran's military capacity; however, they find it easy to send one or two drones, place a mine, or launch a short-range missile at some point along this waterway —or within it— no matter how defeated they may be," Trump wrote this Saturday on his Truth Social account, the platform through which he communicates with the world, and where even members of the Administration discover the latest decisions or daily talking points.
From his message, it could be inferred that the decision has already been made. Especially after Emmanuel Macron flirted with the idea in recent days before realizing that the conditions were not right. Or following the words of Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, who has mentioned the possibility several times on television, something that his traditional partners and allies viewed with some astonishment. They had not been consulted before triggering the Epic Fury operation, and it seemed like Washington was informing them later through the media. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The President himself clarified that it is his will, his desire, not the result of negotiations.
"It is expected that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other nations affected by this artificial restriction will send ships to the area, so that the Strait of Hormuz no longer represents a threat from a nation that has been completely decapitated. Meanwhile, the United States will relentlessly bombard the coastline and continuously sink Iranian vessels and ships. One way or another, we will soon ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!" Trump continued in his message.
If the lyrics sound familiar, it's because the song is not new. In 2019, for example, Trump tweeted almost the same terms and addressed the same people after several tankers were attacked near Hormuz. "All these countries should protect their own ships on what has always been... a dangerous journey," he wrote at that time, specifically mentioning China and Japan. Seven years ago, curiously, the thesis was different. "Why do we protect the sea lanes of other countries (for many years) without receiving any compensation? All these countries should protect their own ships on what has always been a dangerous route. We don't even need to be there, as the United States has become (by far) the world's largest energy producer!" he wrote back then. Now, the U.S. is there, but for different reasons.
China, which buys around 15% of its oil from Iran, the vast majority through Hormuz, is one of the most interested in ending the Iranian blockade as soon as possible. However, it does not consider any joint operation with the U.S. at all. Other countries, however, have participated in the past in military operations to ensure the security of tankers, threatened for example by pirates or attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Attention this Saturday has focused on the island of Jark, a critical enclave from a geographical, military, and economic standpoint. It is a strip of less than 10 kilometers in the northern Persian Gulf, and its facilities provide Tehran with most of its energy revenues, amounting to around $78 billion. Trump has described it as Iran's "crown jewel." And it is also critical from a control perspective in the area.
"Last night, U.S. forces carried out a large-scale precision attack on the island of Jark. The attack destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers, and other military installations. U.S. forces successfully hit over 90 military targets, while preserving the oil infrastructure," announced the U.S. Central Command's account on X. According to its commander-in-chief, "one of the most powerful bombings in the history of the Middle East, completely annihilating every MILITARY target on Iran's crown jewel. Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated the world has ever known; however, out of decency, I have decided NOT to destroy the island's oil infrastructure. However, if Iran —or any other actor— takes any action that interferes with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I would reconsider this decision immediately."
Impact on the global oil market
The Pentagon has bombed Revolutionary Guard installations, not refineries, aware of the enormous impact it would have on the overall oil market. In fact, when Israel blew up oil facilities near the capital, the White House warned its main allies that those targets were unacceptable.
The attack responds to very specific reasons. A few days ago, the U.S. command ordered the destruction of 16 Iranian minelaying ships. According to Miad Maleki, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, it is estimated that Iran has between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines. Tehran had already placed several dozen in the Strait of Hormuz, but keeping between 80% and 90% of its minelaying ships in reserve. "A single incursion can paralyze maritime traffic for days. In perspective: just 300 mines could block the Strait of Hormuz for years. (...) Destroying missile boats, fast boats, launchers, drones, and coastal batteries of the 112th Zolfaghar Brigade eliminates the threat to coalition minesweepers trying to clear the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy or other armed forces cannot effectively escort tanker ships through the Strait of Hormuz until the threat of Iranian missiles and drones is eliminated. Neutralizing Kharg's military assets, along with Bandar Abbas, clears the way for Independence-class LCS minesweepers and minesweeping drones to safely clear the strait and restore freedom of navigation," explains the expert.
Nevertheless, the Iranian government has ignored U.S. threats this Saturday and emphasized that this waterway is under its control and will punish any incursion. "The passage of oil tankers and commercial ships belonging to aggressors and their allies through the Strait of Hormuz remains prohibited", warned the Revolutionary Guard in a statement disseminated by Iranian media. "Any attempt at movement or transit will be attacked." All while the U.S. neither confirms nor completely denies if there are currently deployed mines, or of what type.
Meanwhile, Kataib Hezbollah, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, intensify their attacks against U.S. bases or the embassy in that country. The spokesman for the Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's command center, has threatened the total destruction of all oil and energy assets linked to American companies or interests in the region, leaving them "reduced to a pile of ashes," if the refineries on the island of Jark are bombed.