Overview
- USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara were photographed at Penang’s North Butterworth Container Terminal, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet called the visits brief logistical stops.
- MarineTraffic data showed both littoral combat ships in the Strait of Malacca moving away from the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Independence‑class vessels are equipped with mine‑countermeasure mission packages and were previously forward‑deployed to Bahrain to replace decommissioned Avenger‑class mine hunters.
- Reports say Iran has begun deploying naval mines and attacking merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, severely slowing traffic through a key energy corridor.
- Malaysia’s opposition demanded a fuller explanation over neutrality concerns, as the UK reportedly agreed to send minesweeping drones and many NATO allies were said to be reluctant to join a U.S.‑requested clearance mission.