We analyze the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite US Central Command claims, the strait is effectively closed as Iran mines the waters and expands strikes against US bases in Qatar, Oman, and Jordan. The US faces immense economic pressure from depleting oil reserves, while Europe suffers from the dual burdens of the Persian Gulf conflict and the war in Ukraine. We discuss how controlling the Strait serves as the ultimate geopolitical leverage to force a shift in US Middle East policies regarding Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank. As public opinion shifts, the economic realities of the Strait may be the only catalyst to end endless regional conflicts.
","author_name":"Nima Rostami Alkhorshid"}