President Donald Trump projected confidence, declaring that the US “will not be blackmailed” in the Strait of Hormuz. But behind the bluster, a more aggressive operational plan appears to be taking shape. The Wall Street Journal, as reported by Greek outlets Ethnos and Ta Nea, revealed that the United States is preparing an operation to board and seize ships linked to Iran — targeting what analysts call Iran’s “shadow fleet” of vessels used to circumvent sanctions.
Germany’s Der Spiegel confirmed the reporting, noting that the boarding operation is designed to tighten the economic noose around Tehran. The strategy carries enormous risk: maritime interdiction operations in contested waters can escalate rapidly, and Iran has repeatedly warned that any interference with its shipping would be treated as an act of war.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the WSJ report, adding a note of caution to the developing picture.
