What does the US and Iran’s ‘fight-talk’ dynamic mean before their ceasefire expires?
Meanwhile, China expresses ‘concern’ over America’s interception of Iranian-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman
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Risks of conflict in the Gulf of Oman are rising after the US Navy fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, though analysts say both Washington and Tehran have shown a reluctance to prolong the war.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance opened fire on the Touska after its crew reportedly ignored repeated orders to halt.
The incident took place about 550km (342 miles) east of the Strait of Hormuz in the strategic waters connecting the Persian Gulf to the open sea and marked the first known use of force against a vessel since the American naval blockade of Iran began last Friday.
It prompted Tehran to accuse Washington of violating a fragile two-week ceasefire that is set to expire this Wednesday.
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On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed “concern” over the US interception of the vessel in the “sensitive and complex” Strait of Hormuz.
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