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President Donald Trump has brought to the forefront of the debate a lesser-known but highly effective type of military offense: kinetic attacks, a tactic already used by the United States against drug smuggling boats and which could now be applied to the conflict with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
The so-called kinetic strikes are military actions aimed at destroying a target through the impact of a high-speed projectile, without relying on conventional explosives. Instead of a large detonation, the damage is caused by the immense energy generated upon colliding with the target.
This type of operation has become a key tool within Operation Southern Lance, driven by the United States Southern Command since 2025 to combat maritime drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
In this context, kinetic attacks are used to neutralize fast boats employed by criminal networks, through precision fire from drones, aircraft, or vessels.
The logic is simple: direct impact, immediate response, and total destruction of the target. Unlike traditional bombings, these actions minimize the enemy's reaction time and reduce the need for prolonged deployments.
According to official figures, this strategy has successfully intercepted the vast majority of drug shipments trying to reach U.S. territory by sea.
Trump has warned that the same approach will now be applied in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic points in global energy trade. In particular, the threat targets Iranian fast attack boats, designed for agile maneuvers and swarm attacks.
The message is clear: any vessel that challenges the U.S. naval blockade could be treated as a drug trafficking boat, meaning it would be identified as a threat and eliminated immediately.
Although there are more advanced concepts—such as kinetic bombardment from orbit using tungsten rods—the current application of this technology focuses on precision systems that are already operational.
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