MATT GUTMAN:
00:00:22
With tankers on fire and ships dead in the water, today Secretary Pete Hegseth tried to project that the US was in control of the Strait of Hormuz. They are exercising sheer desperation in the Straits of Hormuz, something we're dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don't need to worry about it.
MATT GUTMAN:
00:00:41
CBS Newshas learned the Pentagon is sending more warships and up to 5,000 sailors and Marines to the Middle East as hundreds of tankers remain stuck, terrorized by Iranian attacks. The Trump administration says opening the strait is a top priority to keep the global oil supply moving. General Clinton Hinote studied what it would take to do just that. Why is it so difficult to, quote unquote, "open the Strait of Hormuz"? It's such a narrow waterway. And because they know where you're going to be, they can plan out their attacks. Say eight times we get tankers through and two times we don't-- well, no company out there is going to take that risk.
MATT GUTMAN:
00:01:23
The Pentagon says the pace of Iran's missile and drone attacks has decreased by over 90%. But Iran has attacked at least 16 ships in the Persian Gulf since the war began. Earlier this week, that Thai-flagged tanker was hit by a suspected missile. The Thai Navy says three crew members are still trapped on board, but it's too dangerous to rescue them. What are the options that the US currently has, in terms of getting ships through there? You're going to need to control the bank, the Iranian coastline. And if you do that, you're almost certainly going to need ground troops. And, Tony, that additional amphibious force being sent to the region also includes a contingent of Marines who are trained to land on shore and control territory. But General Hinote tells me that the least painful outcome for all sides would be a negotiated settlement. Tony?
