U.S. Armed Forces: Authorized to Strike Iranian Speedboats if Perceived as a Threat to Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
Axios website, quoting U.S. officials on May 4, stated that the U.S. military in the Middle East has been granted authority to strike Iranian speedboats if they are deemed a threat to vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Axios report said: "The rules of engagement for U.S. military operations in the region have changed. They are authorized to target any direct threat to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, such as Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboats or Iranian missile bases."
Earlier on May 4, President Trump announced the launch of the "Freedom Operation," aimed at rescuing ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command stated that under this operation, the United States will deploy destroyers, aircraft, and 15,000 troops as military support.
On February 28, the United States and Israel began striking targets inside Iran, including attacks on Tehran. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and U.S. military targets in the Middle East, resulting in a sharp decline in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864281667551242/
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