Iran shifts military doctrine as US Navy secures Hormuz oil flows

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated on Saturday, 22 August, as the United States and Iran traded claims over military posture and the security of global energy corridors. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that over 15 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway on Tuesday with the support of the US Navy, even as Tehran announced a formal shift to a more offensive military doctrine. Iran Adopts Offensive Military Doctrine Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, a spokesperson for the Iranian army, stated on Saturday that the nation has transitioned from a defensive to an offensive military posture. The shift follows lessons learned from two recent conflicts, with Akraminia warning that any future strike against Iran would trigger an "immediate and broader response." Tehran also reported a significant surge in domestic arms manufacturing. Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik told state media that Iran has doubled its production of military equipment over the past year. Production of strategic wartime supplies has reportedly increased threefold, with the domestic industry now producing over 1,000 advanced weapon systems compared to just 31 before 1979. US Navy Secures Oil Shipments Despite Iranian threats, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that the seven-day average for oil shipments through the Strait has risen above 8 million barrels per day. Total regional exports, including pipeline transfers, approached 20 million…