The strait, Trump insisted, “is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our blockade or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!’ Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a deal, or total surrender, is accomplished.”
Trump launched a war with Israel against Iran on February 28.
Original goals included destruction of the country’s nuclear industry, missiles and backing for a popular uprising against the Islamic regime.
More than five months later, Iran remains able to fire missiles and drones at US and allied targets in the region, and retains its enriched uranium stockpiles. Furthermore, it has control of shipping in the strait.
Despite the US pressure, Iranian attacks on ships in Hormuz have severely impacted global energy trading, giving Tehran a strong new card in the standoff.
– AFP