The United States ruling class appears consistently unhinged in its rhetoric. U.S. ruler Donald Trump is now threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, which is already being blockaded by Iran.
Iran Accused Israel and The U.S. Of Violating The Ceasefire
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday morning. “At some point, we will reach an ‘ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT’ basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen.”
Trump said that the U.S. Navy will start blockading ships in the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran is already doing that. So what’s the overall goal? Or is Trump using the word “blockade” wrong?
According to a report by CNN, the strait isn’t technically closed; however, it isn’t fully open and operational either. Iran has been gradually allowing some tankers through in exchange for a toll of up to $2 million per ship. And, crucially, Iran has been allowing its own oil to pass in and out of the region throughout the war: Iran had managed to export an average of 1.85 million barrels of crude a day through March — about 100,000 barrels a day more than in the previous three months, according to data and analytics firm Kpler.
Trump: Iran Is “Doing a Very Poor Job” At Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
By closing off the Strait, Trump could effectively cut off a key source of financing for Iran’s government and military operations. He could also allow or disallow any ships he wants to enter. This would likely require military force. However, if Trump pulls this trigger, the already high cost of oil would skyrocket globally.
The United States has sanctioned Iranian oil on and off for decades, and the Trump administration has blocked sales of the country’s crude since it abandoned the Iran nuclear agreement in 2018. Trump’s decision to drop sanctions last month freed up a lot of crude: 140 million barrels worth, which is enough to satisfy the entire world’s oil demand for about one-and-a-half days, according to the US Energy Information Administration. –CNN
CNN stated that the U.S. has been desperate to control oil prices while it wages this war, which could be one of the reasons the Trump Administration is going forward with this option. It will accomplish both things at the same time.
The cost of oil, which radiates downward to the cost of gasoline for Americans, is one of the main reasons why many people who are friendly to the Trump Administration are not supportive of this war.
This blockage will also run the risk of raising prices even higher all so he can gain leverage over Iran.