Iran Security Chief Makes Fun of US Military

Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei quipped about the United States' military efforts, stating that the ongoing conflict has rendered 15 percent, or 1,200 oil tankers, inoperable. Rezaei mocked the US belief that they could swiftly end the war and seize control of Iran's oil and gas assets. The remarks were published by Iranian state media and shared on RT.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to face significant challenges, with only seven commodity ships passing through on August 20, compared to the usual traffic that once accounted for nearly 20 percent of global crude oil and LNG shipments. No large crude carriers or LNG tankers were among the few vessels crossing that day.

This disruption has left commercial ships stranded or delayed throughout the Persian Gulf. The US Naval Institute recently reported that at least 70 ships remain stuck in the Gulf. Recent shipping statistics indicate a sharp decline in vessel activity and a substantial number of ships impacted by the US war on Iran. Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted from approximately 18 million barrels per day to around 2 million barrels per day this month.

The shortage of tankers has led to a surge in shipping costs, with rates for some large tankers on high-risk routes reaching as high as $550,000 per day. Gulf producers are urgently seeking tankers, and prices for some vessels on risky routes have skyrocketed to the mentioned price.