LOS ANGELES (OC).–Iran’s mullah regime announced today that it was setting up a turnpike in the Strait of Hormuz to charge commercial ships a fee for safe passage. President Donald Trump object in the strongest possible terms to Iran’s terror regime controlling access to a global waterway where freedom of navigation should be guaranteed to all commercial ships. So, when it comes to the fragile ceasefire, Iran’s Republican Guard Corps [IRGC] uses a network of small swift-boats to torment commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Trump presidented Iran with a 14-point plan for a stable and lasting peace deal, something, so far, Iran has rejected. Trump threatened to start bombing Iran’s infrastructure if they don’t sign on to a new peace deal ending the seven-week old conflict. Trump claims Iran shot missiles and drones at the U.S. fleet in the Persian Gulf
Trump acknowledged that the U.S. military struck Iran’s military infrastructure in Tehran today in response to Iran firing on the U.S. navy. Trump warned Iran that tahe U.S. navy clear rules-of-engagement to fire back anytime U.S. assets are attacked by Iran. Trump refrained to bombing Iran’s energy infrastructure, instead bombing Iran’s military infrastructure. “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Trump said. “We hope the parties reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute only to peace in jour region but to interational peace as well,” said Pakastani Foreign Minister Spokesman Abbas Tahir Andrabi. Trump won’t allow Iran to turn the Hormuz Strait into a money-making operation for Iran, noting the freedom of navigation necessary in the Persian Gulf Iran’s thinks it has the terrorist will to impose tariffs on all commercial ships.
No one can explain why the European Union and NATO has not become more involved in opening up the Hormuz Strait. Iran thinks it has the power to continue closing down the Hormuz Strait until more countries take a stand against Iran’s piracy. Since the war started Feb. 28, it’s clear that that a degraded Iranian military has resorted to terrorist tactics, using the IRGC to mine and attack commercial ships in the Hormuz Strait. Trump started escorting vessels through the Strait until Pakistan asked Trump to stop the practice while it worked on a long-term peace process. Trump finds himself with no good options realizing that Iran will not agree to his 14-oint peace plan, dragging in the nuke issue into talks about opening up the Hormuz Strait. Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf States do not want Trump to escort ships in the Persian Gulf until a deal is reaced with the mullah government..
U.N. officials in the “Nation’s convention on the Law of the Sea calls on Iran to restored international shipping routes, not try to impose a turnpike that gives Iran any rights to impose rules on international waters. Iran knows the International Court of Appeals at The Hague permits no country from imposing on globally protected waterways. Iran’s 56-year-old new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei met today with President Massoud Perzeshkian showing that he’s starting to recover from his injuries. After U.S. and Israeli strikes killed his father, the late 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he’s in a warlike state, wanting to make no compromises with the U.S. Trump has no idea how to negotiate with a terrorist state, only looking out for its own survival have weeks of war devastated the Iranian military. Trump says he holds all the cards in peace talks.
Pakistani officials, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, can’t get an agreement with Iran because there’s no mood to compromise with with the White House. Trump has threatened Iran with more bombing if they don’t sign on to a peace agreement. Iran said it has no intent to surrendering its 1,000 pound stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, right below weapons grade material. Trump knows whatever’s in his 14-point peace plan, Iran will only agree to certain conditions. So, when it comes to negotiations, Trump must compromise with a terrorist state that still pursues an A-bomb despite denying its intent. Many nuke experts believe that if Iran had a nuclear device they would no doubt use it on Israel. Trump vowe that Iran would not get a nuclear weapons on his watch. Compromising with Iran isn’t easy when Trump knows he has a superior military.
Trump finds himself showing restraint at Pakistan’s request to give peace a chance, knowing that Islamabad has no sway over Iran’s radical mullah government. Past U.S. policy prohibited the U.S. from negotiating with terrorists, knowing they can’t be trusted in any negotiation. Wall Street was hopeful that the end of the war was near but, now, who knows where the current negotiations will lead. Judging by Motjaba Khamenei he’s only in retaliation mode for the death of his father. So, when it comes to Pakistan seeking peace, it could be a futile exercise know Iran has no intent of compromising to end the eight-week old conflict. Trump wants the war to end for various reasons, including the 2026 Midterm elections, but he has no real peace partner with Iran. Islamabad his no clout with Iran other than trying reasoning with a desperate mullah regime.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma/
