US Military Drops Multiple 5000-Pound Bunker Busters, Bombards Iranian Missile Positions Along Strait of Hormuz! US Amphibious Assault Ship "Tripoli" Stationed in Japan Urgently Deployed to Middle East

U.S. Central Command announced on the evening of the 17th that the U.S. military “a few hours ago” used multiple 5,000-pound (approximately 2.7 tons) earth-penetrating bombs to attack Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military states that these Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles pose a threat to international shipping within the strait.

As of now, Iran has not responded.

Iranian Parliament Speaker: The Strait of Hormuz Will Not Return to Pre-War Status

On the 17th, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani posted on social media that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state.

On the 13th, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, issued his first statement since taking office, saying Iran will continue to block the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has repeatedly stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under strict control of the IRGC Navy, and “the United States and its allies have no right of passage.”

U.S. Deploys Marine Corps to the Middle East

According to CCTV, the Strait of Hormuz, only 34 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, concerns the world. While global attention is on oil prices and inflation, hedge fund founder Ray Dalio openly stated in a column: the contest between the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz is a “final showdown.” It will not only affect oil prices but will change the entire world.

Currently, the U.S. has deployed an amphibious ready group and its accompanying Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East. The amphibious assault ship USS LPD 19 “Librador” (Librador) stationed in Japan is also rushing toward Iran. The ship is equipped with F-35 fighter jets and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, with strong amphibious assault capabilities.

Additionally, U.S. media reports that the U.S. is deploying a total of 5,000 Marines to the Middle East.

NATO Allies “Unenthusiastic” About Escorting the Strait of Hormuz, Trump: The U.S. No Longer Needs NATO Countries’ Help and Should Consider Leaving NATO

On March 17th, local time, CCTV reporters learned that U.S. President Donald Trump again expressed his dissatisfaction with NATO at the White House. Trump said that whether the U.S. should withdraw from NATO “is indeed something we should consider.”

When asked whether the U.S. is reassessing its relationship with NATO or even considering withdrawal, Trump said, “This is something we should consider. I don’t need Congress to make this decision.”

However, he also added that, currently, “there are no concrete plans,” but he is “not satisfied” with the current situation.

Recently, U.S. President Trump has repeatedly called on European countries, Japan, South Korea, and others to assist the U.S. in ensuring the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and has pressured NATO allies, warning that if NATO cannot help ensure normal navigation through the strait, there will be “very bad” consequences. However, on the 16th, Trump told the media at the White House that some countries are “not enthusiastic” about his call. Earlier on the 17th, Trump again criticized NATO allies on his personal social media platform, stating that the U.S. no longer needs or desires assistance from NATO countries.

Source: Shangguan News

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