A U.S. sailor was medically evacuated after being scratched by a monkey during a stop in Phuket, Thailand, the U.S. 7th Fleet spokesperson confirmed. The sailor was transferred to Japan for further care, the spokesperson said. According to Axios, the sailor was assigned to the USS Chief, a minesweeper, and was part of a group of about 84 sailors across two ships heading to the Strait of Hormuz for mine countermeasures. The hurt service member was taken to Sasebo, Japan, the Chief's forward base, for further treatment, Axios reported. The 7th Fleet spokesperson stated there were no operational impacts from the incident.
Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war, Tehran has laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz, and the waterway has largely remained closed during the conflict. President Donald Trump said U.S. minesweeping vessels are clearing the Strait right now. Trump also said the U.S. Navy had been given orders to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats operating in the strait and laying mines. U.S. officials say Iran hasn't kept accurate records of all the mines it has put in the strait since the conflict began in late February. The Defense Department reportedly told Congress recently during a closed-door briefing that it could take up to six months to completely clear mines from the strait. The fate of the strait remains uncertain amid deadlocked negotiations between the warring parties.
Breach of commitments, blockade and threats
President Trump said earlier this week that the U.S. will extend its ceasefire with Iran. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that the U.S.'s 'breach of commitments, blockade and threats' have been the main obstacle to a lasting resolution for the war. With the strait still shuttered, oil prices have risen dramatically, prompting impacts including higher gas prices and airline carriers canceling flights and raising fares.