New Delhi. The ongoing tension between Iran and the US-Israel alliance has now taken a dangerous turn at sea. Iran has adopted a strategy of ‘naval guerrilla warfare’ instead of its conventional navy in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most strategically important sea route.
Read :- IRGC stopped Pakistani ship, said – they did not have permission, till now 5 Indian tankers have passed through Hormuz.
Iran’s ‘hit and run’ strategy
According to the latest intelligence reports, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have deployed hundreds of ‘fast attack crafts’ to the Gulf of Hormuz. These small and extremely fast boats are equipped with modern missiles and torpedoes. Instead of coming directly in front of the big American warships, these boats attack stealthily and immediately disappear. It is becoming difficult for America’s heavy ships to track and target these small boats.
Iran has laid thousands of naval mines in the narrow passes of Hormuz. Due to these mines, the route of commercial oil tankers has become completely unsafe. Along with this, a swarm of suicide drones like ‘Shahad’ is targeting ships that are believed to be associated with the American or Israeli coalition. About 20–30% of the world’s crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Due to this guerrilla war, many big shipping companies have stopped sending their ships through this route. Rise in insurance premiums: In view of the risk of war, insurance on ships has become so expensive that the cost of transportation has increased by 300%. Crude oil prices in the international market may cross $120 per barrel, causing inflation crisis in many countries including India. The US Navy has put its Fifth Fleet on high alert. Britain has also allowed America to use its bases so that Iranian missile launch pads can be destroyed. However, experts say Iran’s guerrilla war is like fighting an ‘invisible enemy’, where even the heavily armed army is feeling helpless.
Read :- All-party meeting called amid West Asia conflict, opposition MPs protested in the Parliament complex
impact on india
India sources a large part of its energy needs through this route. If this guerrilla war continues for a long time, there is a serious possibility of shortage of petrol and diesel in India and disruption in the supply chain.
Report: Sushil Kumar Sah
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