🚨🇮🇷 UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF IRAN CLOSING HORMUZ STRAIT: WHY EXPERTS SAY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE
Unconfirmed reports claim Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes, but experts say it's both unlikely and physically impossible for Tehran to block the waterway where 20 million barrels of oil flow daily.
Anas Alhajji, Energy Outlook Advisors:
"Let's be real about the Strait of Hormuz. First of all, most of it is in Oman, not in Iran. Number two, it's wide enough that the Iranians cannot close it."
Ellen Wald, Transversal Consulting:
"China does not want the flow of oil out of the Persian Gulf to be disrupted... they're going to bring the full weight of their economic power to bear on Iran."
Why closure is impossible: The strait spans 35-60 miles wide, mostly through Omani waters.
Ships can bypass Iranian territory via UAE and Oman routes.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet patrols from nearby Bahrain.
China buys 75% of Iranian oil.
Any closure would anger Beijing more than hurt the West.
1. Israel launched massive airstrikes on Iran, targeting their top military leaders, nuclear scientists, and nuclear research facilities to prevent them from developing a nuclear weapon.
2. Iran retaliated with over 100 drones and missiles, which Israel and its allies mostly intercepted before they reached Israeli territory.
3. Trump said he gave Iran a chance to avoid being attacked by Israel: “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to “just do it,” but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done.”
4. Further Israeli airstrikes were later carried out, targeting the Iranian military's Tabriz air base.
5. Major cities across Israel were deserted after authorities warned residents to stay home. They were urged to stock up on food and supplies for at least 2 weeks amid fears of further escalation with Iran.
6. Iran withdrew from Sunday's planned nuclear talks between U.S negotiator Steve Witkoff and Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi in Oman after the attack by Israel.
7. World leaders were split on the attack, some calling for Israel to be held to account for its aggression, others backing their right to strike Iran.
8. Sec. Rubio confirmed that Israel acted unilaterally in its strikes against Iran. The U.S. was not involved in the attacks, with top priority placed on protecting American forces in the region. Israel informed Washington the strikes were a matter of self-defense.
9. Trump released thousands of previously classified CIA documents related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK in his push for greater government transparency.
10. HHS Sec. RFK Jr. revealed a new plan to make healthcare more affordable for Americans: “For $75 a month, under this bill, you'll be able to get a concierge doctor who is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week, every day of the year. And you won't get a bill for it.”