In dire straits
What does… Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful U. S., Navy cannot do – German Defence
What does… Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful U. S., Navy cannot do - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius
Since the February 28 bombing of Iran in a join operation by the United States (U. S.) and Israel, the world has been on edge. No day passes without people having their hearts in their mouths no matter how far they are from the conflict zone. It was an avoidable war, but Trump being Trump started it to prove that he is strong and also a man of his words, who his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, once eulogised for doing what he says he would.
Rubio praised his principal when the American President hit the same Iran not too long ago under the pretext of taking out that country’s capacity to grow its nuclear capabilities. Nobody was fooled by Trump’s claim of fighting for a nuclear-free world. He only did what he did because he knew there was no one or nation to challenge him. Since that premeditated attack, he has been spoiling to go in for the kill because he thought he had incapacitated Iran to the point that it can never fight back.
Advertisement
300x250
He was wrong. Iran has become a bone stuck in his throat. Trump can neither spit it out nor swallow it. Either way, it will be suicidal not only for him, but unfortunately, for the world, which has been caught in the web of the enormous economic implications of the war. Iran is strategic to the global crude oil market. It is not only oil rich, it holds a central place in the maritime transportation of the commodity. The Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which over 20 percent of the world’s crude is shipped, falls within its territorial boundary, to the north, and that of Oman and a small part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to the south.
Read Also: FULL SPEECH: Tinubu speaks at Windsor Castle, reaffirm UK-Nigeria ties
Iran may not be as strong as America in terms of armaments, its strength lies in the tiny but consequential Strait. The Strait is a choky waterway which can only take a few large vessels at the best of times. The situation has become worse now with the war. Iran has seized control of the Strait granting passage only to crude-bearing vessels from countries considered friendly. Its action has resulted in the rise in crude prices, with multiplier effects on the cost of fuel in virtually every part of the world today.
Things have become so scary that Trump may be regretting his action of invading Iran. He thought it was going to be quick and swift, but it may turn out to be long and arduous. Iran is already down, so it no longer fears a fall. The country is ready to fight to the last man. Its new leader, Mojhtaba whose father and predecessor Ali Khameni was killed in the February 28 attack, is rousing them to action. He has vowed that Iran would not give up despite its huge losses. He said the country would continue to use the Strait to shield itself by denying vessels access to the port. Any vessel that tries to navigate the port without clearance, does so at its peril, he warned. The world is in dire straits because of one man’s insatiable appetite for war.
In just over one year as American president, Trump has turned the world upside down. Trump seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Caracas and flew them in chains to the U. S. to face trial. Shortly after that, he strafed Iran’s nuclear facilities, and subsequently went in for the bombardments in which Khameni was killed. He succeeded in changing the regime in Venezuela, but he may not have his way in Iran.
The Iranians have rebuffed his attempt at regime change. With Trump now seemingly isolated, Iran may yet have the last laugh. Iran’s joker is the Strait of Hormuz over which it has absolute control, but from which ironically the global oil trade derives life. Iran’s closest neighbours cannot challenge its authority. Taking it back from Iran by force is also out of the question. Strong man Trump has been outwitted by the Iranians. He ran to other world leaders for help, but none is forthcoming. European leaders told him in no unclear terms that he should go and clear the mess he created. Indeed, he put not only himself, but the world in dire straits. So, he should sort things out alone.
The world has been topsy-turvy since Trump went to fish for trouble in Iran. See the socio-economic troubles he has caused globally. Like other tyrants before him, Trump may yet be consumed by his hubris, if he does not retrace his steps. This was not the planned ending of his Operation Epic Fury, which he spoke of glowingly just 21 days ago. No man can play God.
