Jewish Journalist Reports From Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Tensions

Yitzchak Horowitz, a journalist for the American Haredi newspaper B'Kehila, visited the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, to report on the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. Horowitz was stationed on the Omani side of the strait, specifically in the Musandam Peninsula, approximately 40 kilometers from Iran, where he observed policing activities.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global trade, with numerous oil tankers, gas carriers, cargo ships, and military vessels transiting daily. The region, historically a tourist destination, has become a heavily scrutinized area where visitors are subject to checks by soldiers. Locals reported that the area, once bustling with tourists, is now a place where anyone arriving is viewed with suspicion and has their passports carefully examined.

Horowitz's report, published in the newspaper for the Sukkot holiday, details the unique geography of Musandam, characterized by deep fjords that offer calmer waters. The city of Khassab, the main departure point for exploring the strait, is populated by local tribes reliant on fishing and tourism. Despite infrastructure improvements, travel by boat remains common.

During his visit, Horowitz noted the scarcity of people on the streets but an abundance of goats. He encountered an "Iranian Restaurant" where the owner served him tea in an Iranian style and discussed the frequent movement of people and goods between Iran and Oman. The owner explained that many Iranians travel to Oman by boat, and that Iranian goats and sheep are brought to the region for export to the Emirates, temporarily kept in Oman before sale.

The journalist also learned about ongoing smuggling operations, including the transport of goats and sheep from Iran to the Emirates, with the animals temporarily housed in Oman. The restaurant owner mentioned hearing about drone attacks from Iran targeting military sites and occasionally witnessing bombs falling on ships, though never near Khassab. He expressed confusion as to why tourists were hesitant to visit.

Horowitz experienced difficulty finding a boat for a tour, as many boat owners had apparently given up on tourism due to the perceived danger. Eventually, a captain agreed to take him, explaining that while oil tankers might wait offshore, they typically move at night to avoid attacks, and that fishermen's boats are generally not targeted. The captain recounted a recent incident where a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker was attacked by a drone and caught fire, resulting in one fatality. He expressed uncertainty about who was responsible, speculating it could have been the Mossad, as both Iran and the US denied involvement, and noting the tanker was reportedly carrying Iranian oil, possibly involved in smuggling.

Horowitz also observed fast boats, capable of reaching Iran in about 90 minutes, used by smugglers bringing goods like electronics from Dubai to the Arabian Peninsula and returning with sheep and goats. The captain reminisced about past smuggling booms, like the "Marlboro years," when cigarette smuggling was rampant.