Trump Panics as War Goes Sideways

Three commercial vessels were struck by Iranian projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz within a three-hour window on Wednesday, according to alerts from the UK Maritime Trade Operations. The cargo vessel Express Rome, the bulk carrier Maori Nari, and an unnamed container ship were hit after Trump administration officials and aligned senators had described passage through the strait as safe and even patriotic. Iran followed the strikes by announcing a shift from what it called reciprocal hits to continuous strikes, with the explicit aim of driving oil prices to $200 per barrel and blocking any oil from reaching the United States, Israel, or their partners.

The attacks extended beyond the strait. Oman’s largest oil storage facility was struck by what appeared to be an Iranian drone. The national average price of diesel in the United States reached $4.81 per gallon, its highest level since December 2022. The British military confirmed that the struck cargo ships were ablaze. Iranian statements emphasized that any vessel bound for the United States or its partners would now be considered a legitimate target and that permission from the Islamic Republic would be required to transit the strait.