LOS ANGELES (oc).–Faced with a two front war in the Hormuz Strait now in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Yemen, President Donald Trump finds himself squeezed between two enemies hell-bent on dominationg world oil markets. Since thw war began Feb. 28, Trump expressed concern about Iran’s nuke program., demanding that he be given what’s left of Iran’s 1,000 pound stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. Trump vowed that Iran would never develp an A-bomb under his watch but finds himself in a more complicate mess trying to deal with Iran’s attempt to dominate world oil markets. North Brent crude topped $100 a barrel signaling higher pump price but really for just about everything, including jet fuel. Trump can’t have it both ways, demanding Iran make nuclear concessions when the Hormuz Strait and Bab el-Mandeb Strait have driven oil price to their highest levels in fouryears.
Trump decided to pause cambat operations after 13 nights to attack on various Iranian military sites, saying he wanted discussions to go forward with Iran, a common refrain when the military needed to reload. Testifying in the Senate Armed Serivces Committee Defense Secretary Pete Hegeth said the Peatagon needed $80 billion, after already spending $37 billion. At the rate Hegseth is going fhrough cash-and-weapons,, there’s no amount of apprograites that would be too much. Mobilizing two carrier task groups to the Persian Gulf, the costs of proseuting conventional war against Iran has been costly. Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he was running out of munitions in short order. Pentagon planners have to figure out a more cost-effective way of challenging Iran certainly in the Strait of Hormuz and now in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Arab Gulf States from the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] are starting to fire on Houthi rebels in Sanaa for impeding Saudi trankers. When markets open tomorrow, it’s a matter of time before oil prices make another quantum leap upward, causing upheaval in world oil markets. All previous talk with Iran have gone no where, largely because Iran figured out they can outlast the U..S. with their cheap drone and missile warfare. Trump is right that the U.S. has decimated the Iranian military, operating today without any real air defenses or navy. Yet what swift boats the IRGC has at iits disposal, it’s enough to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut down, preventing commercial ships from transiting the Gulf. Iran know what to do to stymie the Pentagon, keeping the blockade in place Bombing Iranian radar and military installations isn’t enough to neutralize the IRGC.
Arab Guld States like Kuwait complained about Iran shooting drones and missiles at U.S. military bases, forcing the U.S.-triendly territory to defend its operations. Why the U.S. allies in Brussels have not joined the fight in the Strait of Hormuz is anyone’sgess. For some unknow reason, the EU has been reluctant to get diretly involve in taking out the IRGC, knowing that opening up the Strait of Hormuz has always been the key to ending the war. France, Germany and the U.K. would be helpful in defeating the IRGC, even though Trump has been focused on Iran’s nuke issue. Now that the Houthis opened up a new front in Yeeen, neutralizing the IRGC and Houthis are the top priority in ending the war. Talking about the nuke issue should be pushed until a later date. Trump said he would go after the Hoouthis knowng that theiy’re following the Ayatollah’s orders.
Tru,mp gets nothing but flack from the Democrat Congress, promising to get far worse if they win the House back in the Midterm elections. Democrats and fake news like to debate Article 1 [Congress] and Article 2 [presidency], arguing the Trum packs the authorit to prosecutive the Iran War..Trump under Arcile 2 has every right conduct U.S. foreign policy and national security. IF he things the U.S. is threatened in any way, Trump has the right engage in preemptive military action against any country threatening the United States. Democrats in Congress want to criticize Trump for everyting, espeicallying the Iran. War. While it’s true that it’s raised gas price and inflation, it’s also true that Iran can no longer threaten its neighbors because they no long have much military. Foreign policy and natinalo security are Trump’s primariey responsibiltiies.
More talk with Iran won’t resolve the basic problem of the Hormuz Strait, where Trump wants it opened for posterity, without fees or tariffs. Iran wants to claim sovereignty of the Hormuz Strait making it Iran’s territory to charge transif fees, adding to the price of shipping in the Hormuz Strait. Not one country agrees that Iran should run the Hormuz Strait like a turnpike, charging whatever fees it sees fit. When it comes to the Houthis, Trump must show zero tolerance for blocking access of commercial ships to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iran has received no real help from the Russian Federation, despite being a close trading partner with the Kremlin. Whether or no China supplies Iran with drone or missile components is anyone’s guess. Whatever happens behing the scenes, it’s possible that Russia and Chian quietly back its war with the United Statees.
About the Author.
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlinColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charissma. .
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