220822-A-KS490-1054 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Aug. 22, 2022) U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147), USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144), USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146), and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) transit the Strait of Hormuz, Aug. 22. The cutters are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Martin)

Defense News looks at the implications of a US blockade of shipping to and from Iranian ports and the President’s threat to stop shipping that has paid Iran’s “toll” to transit the Strait (two very different things).

Asia Times has an excellent article, “Dueling Hormuz blockades push world to the brink,” that summarizes the legal situation.

I would point out, there is a good chance the Coast Guard will be involved in any US blockade enforcement, either in boarding teams, perhaps operating from US Navy ships, or as the ships hosting the boarding parties.

Last we heard, two weeks ago, the PATFORSWA WPCs were East bound through the Strait of Malacca, near Singapore. My guess is they probably went to Guam where three WPCs are already based. They would be an excellent choice to host the boarding teams while destroyers and aircraft provide backup.

If this becomes a long term operation, I would not be surprised to see National Security Cutters assigned to this mission.

Hanging over this mission is the question of what the Chinese might do if we attempted to stop a Chinese flag tanker bound for an Iranian port.