THE Iran war is taking a dramatic turn. Talks in Islamabad last Saturday having failed, the US is reorienting its strategies with a view to economically bleed Iran into submission. Americans have announced a blockade – first saying all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be blocked by the US naval ships, and then making amends. The US aim is to stop Iran from allowing ships through selectively, benefiting its friendly nations and yet charging a hefty fee, to also compensate for the loss the Islamic nation suffered in the war. The US says it would effect a blockade on Iran ports, that would halt Tehran’s sale of oil. The perceived loss to Iran as a result of the reverse blockade by the US is of the order of $435 million per day.
Notably, since the start of the war by February end, Iran was in control of the Strait of Hormuz, the only waterway out of the Gulf through which a quarter of the world’s oil and gas supplies passed. Iran has earned heavily by way of selective nod for passage of ships since March. With the US intervening and blocking this passage and the Iranian ports, it’s not just Iran but much of the world that is waiting to receive the oil from the region that would suffer. Last month India had the advantage of seeing its loads through as a result of being among Iran’s friendly countries. Across the world, including in India, prices are spiralling across all sectors, affecting trade, business and other walks of life. Commercial cylinder refills are hard to get and many hotels are bearing the brunt. They are raising the rates for the dishes, passing the burden on to the people. The aviation sector is hard-hit and the scenario could turn worse if no peace deal is arrived at. Though the talks in Islamabad failed as Iran refused to budge to the US demand to stop its nuclear programme, another round of talks is likely soon. Hopes are pinned on this.
Americans have a problem with the war. They are hesitant to take it to the next level. Trump claims he has destroyed the Iranian navy and air force, as also the radars in Iran, apart from decimating several top-level governmental and military leaders. The natural next step should have been the landing of the US ground forces to fight and uproot the regime and install a puppet. Iran has warned of hell. So did Trump. Iran hopes it can handle the American soldiers on the ground. The US is not very sure of the same success it achieved in Iraq when it ousted the Saddam Hussein regime there in 2003. Hence, Trump’s strategy to hit Iran and block its sources of finance. As the saying goes, all’s well that ends well. The problem however is the suffering the world faces as a result. Fuel prices have risen even in the US. China, with its huge production lines, is caught in a crisis due to the Strait blockade. Every individual in every nation is paying through the nose in order to cope up with spiralling prices even as essential items are in short supply. The war has to end, but how?
