A war of wills is underway. Trump will lose.
Biggest Flare-Up Yet Under New Agreement
The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. Carries Out New Strikes on Iran as Tit-for-Tat Attacks Continue
American forces struck Iran on Saturday after blaming Tehran for an oil-tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz, extending fighting around the strategic waterway into a third day and testing a fragile ceasefire.
The operation targeted Iranian communication and air-defense sites, drone-storage facilities and minelaying capabilities, the U.S. military said. It was the second wave of American attacks in as many days as the U.S. seeks to degrade Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping.
Iran’s state media said projectiles had caused explosions at the Hormuz port cities of Sirik and Bandar Lengeh and on the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm. All three sites are home to military facilities.
Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. military said an Iranian drone struck a tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil near the Strait of Hormuz. The Panama-flagged Kiku was hit in the bridge, the vessel’s main command center, said the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Center, affiliated with the Royal Navy. Bahrain also said Saturday it had come under attack from Iranian drones.
The back-and forth-attacks added to pressure on a preliminary peace deal already under stress from continued fighting in Lebanon and disagreements over nuclear inspections.
Iran has interpreted the agreement’s language as giving it power over the Strait of Hormuz, with it saying Tehran “will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels.” Many ships have used a U.S.-backed route through the strait that hugs its southern coast with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The Revolutionary Guard has directed ships to instead use a path taking them through Iranian waters.
The outbreak of violence began Thursday when the U.S. said Iran struck a ship that transited the strait via a path near the coast of Oman that Tehran had warned shippers not to use. Trump called the attack a violation of the two sides’ ceasefire and ordered strikes on Iranian positions along the strait on Friday.
Despite the attacks, both Trump and Iran have showed signs of wanting to keep any fighting contained. The two sides engaged in tit-for-tat skirmishes throughout a two-month ceasefire reached in early April, but that didn’t derail efforts to sign the memorandum of understanding that aimed to reopen the strait and end the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
Both sides have continued to discuss the implementation of the deal. But political challenges remain, as Iran insists a final deal will allow it to collect revenue from commercial ships transiting the waterway. Iran also says it won’t surrender its nuclear program.
Oman Tells Allies Ships Going Through Hormuz May Have to Pay
Bloomberg reports Oman Tells Allies Ships Going Through Hormuz May Have to Pay
Oman has told European officials that there’s no way of going back to the pre-war status quo with the Strait of Hormuz and transiting ships may have to be charged some fees.
Omani officials said they will always abide by international maritime law, but added there could be fees for services related to de-polluting the strait or helping ships navigate it.
The US, Europe and Oman’s Gulf Arab neighbors are increasingly concerned that Oman will set up a tolling or fee system with Iran for the Strait of Hormuz.
“Any fees for vessels could cost commodity traders and shippers tens of billions of dollars annually. Governments including the US, UK, France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have warned they would break maritime laws.”
The first sentence is true. The second is false. Tolls are not allowed fees are.
US Base Hit
Simple Resolution
Iran and Oman will collect fees, not tolls.
There is no going back.
As soon as ships stop trying to skirt the fees, the better off everyone will be.
Oh. Thank you Trump for this arrangement.
Comments
Log in or sign up to join the conversation.