Donald Trump is trying to use the U.S. Navy to free up shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering the biggest escalation of the war since a ceasefire was announced on April 8. On Monday, Iran attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the United Arab Emirates. Concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East are returning to the market.
The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry said it intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Monday. These were the first Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates in almost a month.
See also: Tension is growing in the Strait of Hormuz. The US appeals to China
Iran attack on the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates reported a fire in the oil industry zone in Fujairah following an Iranian drone attack. Fujairah lies on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, which allows the UAE to export crude oil during its war with Iran.
The UAE said the Iranian attacks represent a serious escalation and reserves the right to respond.
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PAP/Michał Czernek / PAP/photos
Oil price
On Monday evening, oil prices rose, and the main stock indices overseas ended the session in the red.
Price of June oil futures Brent grows by 5 percent up to $114 per barrel.
Monday's session on Wall Street ended with declines in the main indexes. Dow Jones Industrial at closing it fell by 1.13 percent, S&P 500 lost 0.41%, a Nasdaq Composite — 0.19 percent
Iran attacked the UAE
Iran had no planned attack on oil facilities in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported, citing a military official.
The military said that what happened in the port of Fujairah was “the result of adventurous activities of the US army aimed at creating a passage for illegal ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” Reuters quotes.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Monday that Iran's attacks on the United Arab Emirates are unacceptable and constitute a gross violation of that country's sovereignty and international law.
US operation in the Strait of Hormuz
“Project Freedom” announced by the US is an initiative aimed at supporting “merchant ships seeking free transit” through the strait.
According to a statement by the US Central Command, it includes guided missile destroyers, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 soldiers.
See also: Critical threat in the Strait of Hormuz. There is a reaction of crude oil
Hot in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump warns
Donald Trump warned Iran's armed forces on Monday that they would be “wiped off the face of the Earth” if they tried to attack American ships in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf.
Iran attacked several ships on Monday. Trump said the attacks caused “no damage” except to the South Korean ship. “Perhaps it's time for South Korea to join the mission!” – he said.
Earlier on Monday, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Bradley Cooper, told reporters that the U.S. military had “blown up” six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
In the evening, the Danish logistics giant Maersk confirmed that one of its ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military protection, and all of its crew members are “safe and uninjured.”
