A lot of oil flows through the strait from the oil fields behind it. Iran can use the oil without it because they’re behind it. By limiting access to the strait, they can harm the global economy, at least as long as, one, they control the strait, and two, the global economy depends on oil. The Americans are doubling down on their reliance on oil, probably to justify fighting Iran for the strait. So they challenge Iran’s control of the strait. The other option is to make a rival strait, or canal (e.g. Panama Canal), on land the US or an ally controls. That’s expensive though, and will take time, and the US/the west doesn’t really have friends over there, just unsteady allies.
So right now the issue is Iran keeps flip-flopping on letting ships travel through the strait, but I don’t imagine the US would be a better steward of it. The better option by far would be to get the west on renewable energy. If the US/the west didn’t need oil, the Middle East/OPEC would lose a LOT of influence over the global economy. The US may be doubling down on oil to appease their allies in Saudi Arabia.
RoidingOldMan@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
IDK if there’s a point.
The Trump admin is going wild with imperialism. They did a coup in Venezuela. It went surprisingly well. Negotiations with Iran weren’t going well (over the nuclear stuff), so Trump decide to try that coup thing again. Killed the leader of Iran. With no actual plan for how that was going to go afterward. Now the dead leader’s son is in charge. He’s pissed at the USA. The main/only leverage Iran has is on the Strait of Hormuz. So now that the USA killed their leader, they’re using that leverage. Which is driving up the price of oil and hurting everyone, including the USA.
If the Iranians didn’t have control of the strait anymore, that would probably mean that the regime has fallen.
breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
You’re giving them way too much credit here. Trump didn’t “do a coup” in Venezuela. They abducted one guy. It’s the same regime. They didn’t even intend to bring another group into power. Basically the same thing in Iran except they hoped (stupidly) that the regime would fall.
‘They’re going wild with incompetent, lazy, ineffectual imperialism’ is more accurate.
eightpix@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Not stated above. Iran has spent the time between 1979 and 2026 building social, military, and political infrastructure to ensure that a decapitation strike, like the one carried out on 28 February, would not destabilize the country or even upset the leadership system of the state. If anything, US didn’t account for the galvanizing force of being attacked.
Iran has exercised leverage for decades. Funding.and arming Hamas and Hezbollah to wage proxy war against US ally Israel and forestall the ambition of regional nemesis Saudi Arabia. Iran held off US-backed Iraq in war, at great cost, for 8 long years. Iran sells their oil to their allies, defends their territory effectively, and suppresses popular uprisings within. Iran may not be a global power, but it is certainly a regional one.
Control of the Strait does not make for a happy global community. Controlling the Strait is expensive. Better to wield the threat of its closure and extract concessions or support from other nations. Its cheaper, more neighbourly, and keeps up appearances. “Exercising” leverage by closing the Strait, from either side and for however long, just makes things worse for everyone. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Not, “lookit my big stick! I’ll hit you!”
What Iran seeks to gain with control of the Strait is recognition of their regional power, an end to hostilities, and a return to a status quo that existed before the Red Hats had their day. It has cost them dearly. However, within living memory, war against Saddam Hussein cost between 200K and 500K lives.
Control of the Strait turns the world against the Red Hats. Hopefully, it turns Americans as well.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
they also have china and russia backing them, as its useful for those 2 powers as well.
Ardyssian@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Do you think they’re going to try for Greenland next? I feel like Trump might just attempt to pivot there if he can’t take Iran