Strait of Hormuz Effectively Shut Down Despite US Military Claims of Open Transit
"There's been virtually no traffic through the straight of Hormuz at all. A ship or two that's either Chinese-based or Chinese affiliated or Iran affiliated using the Iran route. Before Donald Trump and Netanyahu launched the unlawful and catastrophic war in Iran, there was 140 to 150 ships a day that went through the straight. Now they're bragging right now 140 ships every 7 days."
About this episode
The host reports on a major military escalation between the United States and Iran, with the US conducting what military sources describe as the largest strikes in recent operations across multiple Iranian locations over a five-hour period. Iran responded with direct strikes against US military assets in Kuwait, destroying three ATACMS missile systems, and targeting American facilities in Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. The conflict has effectively shut down commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping chokepoint, despite US Central Command claims that the waterway remains open. Ship tracking data shows traffic has plummeted from 140-150 vessels per day before the conflict to approximately 20 per day currently, an 85-90% reduction. US strikes hit Iranian locations including areas near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, petrochemical facilities in Mahshahr, and military installations across the Strait of Hormuz region. Iran's foreign ministry issued warnings that countries hosting US bases used in the attacks will be treated as hostile under international law. The episode includes footage of strikes, Iranian military commanders discussing their monitoring of all vessels in the Strait, and questions about potential US casualties based on medevac flight patterns from Jordan to Germany. The host criticizes what he characterizes as US military manipulation of information about the Strait's status and challenges official claims that no American personnel have been injured.
Key takeaways
- Iran struck and destroyed three US ATACMS missile systems in Kuwait and damaged American facilities in Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain in direct retaliation for extended US bombing.
- US conducted five hours of strikes across Iranian territory including areas near Bushehr nuclear power plant and major petrochemical facilities in what military sources call the largest recent operation.
- Commercial shipping through Strait of Hormuz has dropped 85-90% from pre-conflict levels of 140-150 ships daily to approximately 20 ships daily despite US claims waterway remains fully open.
- Iran's foreign ministry warned all countries hosting US military bases used in attacks will be treated as hostile under international law.
- Flight tracking data suggests possible US casualties with C-17 medical evacuation missions transporting patients from Jordan to Germany despite official claims of no injuries.
- Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders released videos stating they monitor and control all foreign vessel passage through Strait of Hormuz.
- US Central Command claims 140 ships transited Strait in past seven days compared to that volume passing daily before conflict began.