That can increase travel times, insurance costs and transportation expenses.
Eventually, those costs can affect businesses and consumers.
This is why governments take attacks on commercial shipping extremely seriously.
Protecting a major maritime chokepoint is therefore not simply a regional military issue. It can become an international economic concern.
The danger of escalation
Although the viral claim of a 13-country offensive has not been verified, the broader security environment remains serious.
One of the greatest dangers in any international crisis is escalation.
A relatively limited confrontation can become much larger if additional countries become involved.
Imagine a sequence in which a commercial vessel is attacked, foreign naval forces respond, another military unit becomes involved, casualties occur and governments face domestic pressure to retaliate.
Each individual step might appear limited.
Together, however, they can create a rapidly expanding conflict.
