Across-the-board surge! Strait of Hormuz, major news breaks! US Secretary of Defense: Must destroy all of Iran's military capabilities

The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of attention.

According to the latest news, U.S. President Trump, in an interview with American media, urged oil tankers to “show some courage” and pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, the strait is effectively blocked, with only sporadic ships passing through. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated on the 13th that the Strait of Hormuz is open for transportation, but Iran is firing on ships. There is no clear evidence that Iran has laid mines. Additionally, France and Italy are reportedly holding talks with Iran to ensure the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

After the U.S. stock market opened, the three major indices rose collectively. As of 22:20 Beijing time, the Dow Jones increased by 0.28%, the Nasdaq by 0.3%, and the S&P 500 by 0.28%. Most European stock markets also gained strength, with the Euro Stoxx 50 up 0.23%. Meanwhile, international oil prices continued to decline, with WTI crude futures down 1.5% at $94.27 per barrel, and Brent crude futures down 0.64% at $99.82 per barrel.

Regarding the Middle East situation, according to CCTV News, on March 13, Iran launched strikes against multiple targets across Israel, covering locations from north to south. On the same day, the Israeli military announced it continued large-scale airstrikes against Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah targets.

Trump’s latest statement

On March 13, Xinhua News Agency reported that on the 12th, Fox News Channel quoted U.S. President Trump as urging oil tankers to “show some courage” and pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked about the risks faced by oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, “There’s nothing to fear. They (Iran) don’t have a navy. We’ve sunk all their ships.”

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, issued his first statement after taking office on the 12th, saying Iran will not abandon revenge and will continue to use the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a means.

The Gulf region is rich in oil and gas resources, with oil reserves accounting for nearly 60% of the world’s total and natural gas about 40%. The Strait of Hormuz is the only waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the outside world. Over a quarter of global seaborne oil and about one-fifth of liquefied natural gas transported worldwide pass through the Strait.

According to statistics published by The New York Times on the 12th, since the U.S. and Israel launched military actions against Iran, at least 16 oil tankers, cargo ships, and other commercial vessels have been attacked in the Persian Gulf.

The strait is now effectively blocked, with only sporadic ships passing through. Continued disruption of shipping could cause severe shocks to the global energy markets and impact the world economy through various channels. Several international insurers have canceled war coverage in the region, further restricting vessel passage.

Additionally, Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency reported on the 12th that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanji stated in an interview that Iran allows some foreign ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

HSBC oil and gas analyst Kim Fishtaj believes that the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be the biggest variable influencing international oil prices. An analyst from Turtle Capital Consulting said that if oil prices rise sharply, the impact will be transmitted to manufacturing through raw material procurement, logistics, and chemical raw materials. Samuel Ramani, a senior researcher at the UK Royal United Services Institute, warned that rising energy prices increase production costs, which are then passed along the supply chain to consumers, “causing serious inflationary effects on the global economy.”

Beyond the energy sector, about one-third of the world’s fertilizer exports also transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and fertilizer shortages could impact agricultural product prices.

U.S. Secretary of Defense: Destroy Iran’s Entire Military Capability

On the evening of March 13, CCTV News reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. plans to destroy all of Iran’s threatening military capabilities.

At a press conference on the same day, Austin said Iran’s missile stockpiles have “reduced by 90%,” and the number of suicide drones has “fallen by 95%.” The U.S. and Israel have targeted over 15,000 Iranian targets.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Austin said it will not be allowed to remain in dispute. There is no clear evidence that Iran has laid mines. The strait is open for transportation, but Iran is firing on ships.

The current Middle East conflict continues to escalate. According to CCTV News, on March 13, Iran launched strikes against multiple targets across Israel, covering locations from north to south. On the same day, the Israeli military announced it continued large-scale airstrikes against Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah targets.

From early morning to around 10 a.m. local time, the Israel Defense Forces monitored three waves of missile attacks launched by Iran against Israel. In the northern town of Zarcir, missiles broke through defenses, causing damage to several buildings. One person was injured by shrapnel, and over 50 others sustained minor injuries.

Earlier, Iran’s missile attacks mainly targeted Tel Aviv and central Israel. On the 13th, missile strikes expanded to multiple locations from north to south, and the southern port city of Eilat also sounded air raid sirens.

According to the IDF’s report, the Israeli military conducted multiple large-scale airstrikes in central and western Iran over the past 24 hours, targeting over 200 sites, including missile launchers, defense systems, and weapons manufacturing bases. The IDF also carried out large-scale airstrikes on several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including bombing a bridge over the Litani River. The military considers this bridge an important route for transporting weapons and energy supplies for Hezbollah.