Trump vows to sink Iranian ships approaching a U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz - NPR

Threats to interdict or sink vessels and rhetoric about stopping payments to Iran have raised the stakes and provoked warnings of retaliation from Iran, increasing the likelihood of rapid escalation. The newly announced sanctions on a China-based refinery and roughly 40 shipping companies expand U.S. pressure beyond naval interdictions to the commercial networks that move Iranian oil, which could deepen tensions and complicate crisis management. Reports that aides were told to prepare for a lengthy blockade further increase the chance of sustained confrontation and reciprocal Iranian action.