{
  "id": 6584721,
  "title": "Getting the tanker war right: A history of blockades from the US Civil War to Iran - analysis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/getting-the-tanker-war-right-a-history-of-blockades-from-the-us-civil",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T12:36:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908277"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States finds itself in a kind of tit-for-tat conflict with Iran, primarily centered around the Strait of Hormuz. This ongoing struggle began with strikes by the US and Israel on Iran in February, and has since evolved into a complex battle fought in a unique environment. Iran, bordering the Strait, has a significant advantage in defending the waterway, despite being a weaker country. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has adopted a new approach to this conflict, sinking Iranian tankers in retaliation for Iranian attacks on US ships.\n\nIranian threats against shipping in the Gulf are multifaceted, involving various drones and missiles. The country's proximity to the Strait makes it challenging to defend the hundreds of miles of water, a reality that history has shown will favor the bordering nation. US forces have been conducting naval blockades for centuries, employing methods such as clearing mines to ensure safe shipping. However, gaining the upper hand in this conflict is proving to be a lengthy process.\n\nThe US has faced similar challenges in the past, including the blockade of the Confederate States during the Civil War, which took years of effort. Napoleon's failed attempt to blockade Britain in 1806, and the Germans' use of submarines during World Wars I and II, serve as reminders that naval blockades can be a protracted endeavor. Similarly, the decade-long siege of Montevideo, Uruguay, demonstrates the difficulty of achieving victory through blockade alone.\n\nThe US has experience with tanker wars, having dealt with the Iran-Iraq conflict in the 1980s, where both sides targeted shipping. Given Iran's continued warnings and threats against ships, the US must determine whether sinking Iranian tankers will prompt Tehran to reconsider its strategy. However, it is unclear whether Iran will resort to alternative tactics, such as attacking energy installations or increasing threats against Jordan. Iran's belief in its options and a long front line to exploit, including its border with Iraq and the Gulf, as well as its presence in Yemen and the Red Sea, present further challenges for the US in achieving success in this tanker war.",
  "summary": "Getting the tanker war right will be a challenge for the US because of the factors involved. The White House is already signaling that the conflict and high oil prices will continue through midterms.",
  "key_points": [
    "US and Iran in tit-for-tat conflict over Strait of Hormuz",
    "US Central Command sinks Iranian tankers in retaliation",
    "Iran's proximity to Strait gives it defensive advantage"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Oil crosses $100 a barrel as U.S.-Iran tanker attacks escalate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/oil-crosses-100-a-barrel-as-u-s-iran-tanker-attacks-escalate",
        "published": "2026-09-10T08:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}