UK to Look After Own Ships in the Gulf: Guardian

Britain seized an Iranian ship off Gibraltar for transporting oil to Syria before Iran seized a British ship, with a crew of mostly Indian nationals. Speaking on a US television channel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US has plans for a military convoy to protect international shipping off the Iranian coast and suggested the UK has a responsibility to protect its own ships. Another multinational task force is in place, too, and Europeans express concerns about intentions and coordination after the United States pulled out of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. Adding to the confusion, Britain is in the midst of selecting a prime minister who will decide whether to side with Europe by remaining in the nuclear deal or join the US in attempts to end the deal and isolate Iran. Allies follow media reports to determine the other’s thinking. The Strait of Hormuz, with heavy shipping traffic, is responsible for passage of about a fifth of the world’s oil. British officials suggest it is impossible to give each ship a military escort, and analysts suggest more military in the region could lead to conflict. The US also denied reports that Iran captured 17 spies working in Iran for the US Central Intelligence Agency. – YaleGlobal