Iran’s Seizure of Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Signals Dangerous Escalation

Iran’s brazen seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Talara in the narrow Strait of Hormuz this past Friday marks a worrying escalation in Tehran’s ongoing efforts to exert control over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. For Americans who depend on stable global energy markets and secure shipping lanes, Iran’s actions represent more than just regional posturing—they threaten national security and economic stability. The Talara was en route from Ajman, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore when Iranian forces intercepted it and forced it into Iranian territorial waters. This is the first such interdiction in months, underlining Tehran’s...