Iran steps up Hormuz surveillance: Attacks soar, oil flows crash again

Iran’s military said it has expanded its surveillance of the Strait of Hormuz by deploying new units to target ships, amid a desperate tussle between Tehran and Washington to control the waterway, among the world’s most important passages for energy transport.With the United States naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports in place and sanctions tightening, Tehran has repeatedly said it will pursue military and diplomatic efforts to put pressure on Washington to submit to its demands regarding reopening the strait.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump says Houthis trying to increase oil prices before US electionslist 2 of 3How Israel’s ‘Yellow Line’ is reshaping southern Lebanonlist 3 of 3How do Iranians move money abroad to avoid US sanctions?end of listTehran’s latest announcement coincides with a surge in attacks in the waterway and a fall in oil transit after crude flows had risen back to pre-war levels in September.Chris Featherstone, a political scientist at the University of York in the United Kingdom, told Al Jazeera the increased attacks and their impact on energy flows demonstrate the fragility of the strait as a key pathway for oil exports.So, what’s going on...