LOS ANGELES (OC).–When President Donald Trump agreed to a ceasefire with Iran at the 11th hour, the deal involved ending hostilities in exchange for opening up the thrStrait of Hormuz, the narrow international waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Gulf State tankers and freighters usually flow freely from their ports through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to destinations around the planet. Oil experts estimate that 20% of the world petroleum and natural gas travels through the Persian Gulf until Iran decided during the war with the U.S. and Israel to blockade the passageway. Iran has no legal right to blockade the Strait of Hormuz in a pure act of terrorism. Trump has put the negotiations into the capable hands of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who host this weekend Iran War peace talks. So far, Iran has not kept their end of the bargain blaming it on Israel.
Abu Dhabi’s energy czar Sultan Al Jaber confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz continues to be blockaded by Iran. Passage through the Strait is subject to “permission, conditons and political leverage,” Al Jaber said. “An estimated 230 vessels sit loaded with oild and ready to sail. The, and every vessel that follows, must be free to navigate this corridor without condition. No country has a legitimate right to determine who may pass and under what terms,” Al Jaber said, pointing fingers at Tehran for ignoring the ceasefire. Iran’s mullah governments wants Israel to stop its assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the fact that they’ve paide, given rocket and other arms, to battle Israel. But when the ceasefirer went into effect, Iran assumed that it included Israel, not just the United States. All these disputes will be discussed in Islamabad this weekend.
Trump was very forceful with Iran, emailing on his Truth Social platform that if Iran didn’t open up the Strait of Hormuz he would end the Persian civilization as we know it. Trump rhetoric brought condemnation from both sides of the aisle, prompting Democrats and fake news to invoke the 25.th Amendemnet, saying he was mentally unfit for commander-in-chief. Without Trump’s harsh words, Iran would have never agreed to a ceasfire, even if the radical mullahs continue to assert their weakened power. If you listen the fake news, it sounds like they take Iran’s side, hoping Trump fails. But without Trump de-fanging Iran over the last five weeks, Iran would have far more leverage in the current negotiations. Iran’s mullahs know that don’t want any more war with the United States. Iran wants Israel included in the ceasefire, something the United States wasn’t in the agreement.
Iran’s mullah regime has its demands going into peace talks in Islamabad. Tehran want assurances that whatever agreement is reached, the U.S. and Israel won’t resume its war on the mullah regime. Iran knows the current state of its military, realizing that it can’t surive another major bombardment by the U.S. and Israel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are running the country, knowing that another wrong move could topple the government. So, when it comes to negotiations in Islamabad, Iran wants the U.S. and Israel to agree to stop its war permanently, not something Trump was prepared to do. Iran wants permanent control over the Strait of Hormuz, an deal-breaker from the start. Trump could easily walk away from the peace talks if Iran tries to call the shots. Trump doesn’t believe that Iran holds the cards, even though for the moment they control the Persian Gulf.
Iran’s mullah regime is in survival mode, trying to find out how to proceed without pushing Trump to resume the war. Letting go of the Strait of Hormuz would actually give Iran more leverage in the talks. Trump wants Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz without conditions, recognizing the fact that its an international waterway, not owned by any one country. Practicing terrorism is not acceptable to any of the Arab Gulf States that have lost all respect for Iran’s mullah government. Arab Gulf States make their living moving products through the Persian Gulf. Forcing tankers and freighters to go through the Red Sea and Suez Canal costs shipping companies millions in extra costs, adding to inflation. Iran’s blockade has driven oil prices through the roof, causing hardship in world economic markets. No country wants to be held hostage by Iran.
Leading the U.S. delegation to Islamabad, Vice President J.D. Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will try to hammer out a deal that works for both sides. Iran said it wanted war reparations from the U.S., something the U.S. delegation can return to Iran in sanctions relief. When it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, Iran must give up its obsession with controlling the Strait, knowing that it’s a global waterway. Trump wants the delegation to get Iran to agree to optisening up the Strait of Hormuz without conditions. Iran’s best leverage with the U.S. is ending the destructive bombardment that’s been going on for over five weeks. Trump wants to walk away knowing that he opened up the global waterway, dropped oil prices and stimulated the U.S. and world economy. Returning to full-scale word would serve no one, especially no Tehran’s mullah government.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analzying spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
