Posted on 03/15/2026 5:44:22 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
President Trump called on a host of other countries, including Britain, France, and China, to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to end a de facto Iranian blockade on the shipping of oil through the strategic waterway. It was far from clear, however, whether any countries would volunteer to patrol the strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil transits.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Telegram that the strait “is open to everyone, except American ships and those of its allies.” In practice, however, the oil shipped through the passage is coming from either Iran or American allies such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Oil prices have risen steeply since the United States and Israel launched their air war on Iran on Feb. 28. While the Trump administration and other governments have sought to calm the volatility and bring prices down — including by easing sanctions on some Russian oil — they have seen little success thus far.
Mr. Trump threatened to attack oil infrastructure on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal, unless Tehran allowed ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Such a move would almost certainly rattle energy markets further. U.S. consumers have already seen the price of a gallon of gasoline rise by 25 percent on average, according to the AAA motor club.
On Saturday, Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps rejected Mr. Trump’s threat, asserting in a statement that the critical waterway was under its full control and that “any attempt to move or transit will be targeted.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
>>>”the point is we cant let them use the straight as a weapon.”<<<
How do you propose we get the Strait open again?
BTW, several GCC members have cut production. It will take weeks to get it back up and running once the Strait is open. Port and storage facilities have also been damaged. Repair will take time.
I’m glad I bought a nice little pike of oil futures on Feb 26 when shares were under $80. Closed on Friday at $119.89:
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/USO/
I also filled my tank for $21 on Feb 26. This morning I filled it again for $29, about same number of gallons.
exactly my original point. They need that straight open more than anyone. Either they let everyone through, or no one gets through and we watch Irans economy die.
While I see the overriding issue of the war as necessary, there is the strong risk of reignition of inflation and sending our economy into recession due to oil price shock, however temporary. End result a blue tsunami in the midterms and the end of MAGA. It is always about the economy .
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