The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most sensitive points of the global economy. Through this narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman flows a large portion of global oil trade. Since the beginning of the American Israeli attacks on Iran this route has effectively been blocked. Tankers avoid the passage, insurers withdraw, prices rise. President Donald Trump is now trying to force traffic through again with military pressure. On Saturday Trump publicly called on other states to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in order to keep the passage \u201copen and safe.\u201d On his network Truth Social he wrote that many countries would send ships. He mentioned Britain, China, France, Japan and South Korea. He did not name concrete commitments. Here too it once again becomes clear how unprepared the attack on Iran was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The call shows how difficult the military situation has become. Even if Iran\u2019s air defenses are heavily damaged the country can still threaten the sea route. Small drones, mines and fast boats are enough to disrupt shipping traffic. Trump himself acknowledged that Iran would retain such capabilities - \u201cno matter how hard they are hit,\u201d as he wrote. The conflict has now lasted three weeks. During the night the American embassy in Baghdad was attacked. Two Iraqi government officials confirmed the attack. Sirens wailed and thick clouds of smoke rose from the embassy compound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. embassy later stated that Iran backed militias had repeatedly shelled the so called International Zone in Baghdad. American citizens were once again urged to leave Iraq immediately. The consulate in Erbil should also be avoided for security reasons. A Shiite militia initially did not claim responsibility for the attack. Only a few hours earlier another building had been destroyed in Baghdad. In the wealthy Arasat district a house was heavily damaged by an explosion. Fighters from the Shiite group Kataib Hezbollah sealed off the area. Later the organization stated that three of its members had been killed in an attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n