Iran’s parliament is reviewing a plan to ban ships linked to the U.S., Israel and other “hostile countries” from transiting the Strait of Hormuz until Tehran is compensated for war damage, according to Iranian state media.
The plan would impose fees of up to 7% of cargo value on commercial vessels that pass through the strait. It would also fine ships 20% of cargo if they violate Iran’s conditions.
Iran on Wednesday said it was finalizing an agreement on shipping routes with Oman, a U.S. ally that sits on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying that ships would enter through the strait’s northern corridor near the Iranian coast and exit through the southern corridor near the Omani coast.
Trump won’t accept such an agreement. Trump should propose a deal that ends all sanctions immediately if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz without tolls. He can argue that ending all sanctions would immediately benefit Iran economically and pay for war damages.
The problem is Iran is no longer interested in making any deals with Trump. The only thing Trump can do now is to just leave the region and let Iran negotiate with its neighbors directly. That’s pretty much what they are doing now. They are talking about the strait with Oman and compensations with other countries. If Trump keeps bombing them they will keep the strait closed until midterms which will be bad for Republicans. If Trump doesn’t get involved the strait may be re-opened. If he escalates… it will take this shitshow to a whole new level.
The problem is that a deal reached with neighbors cannot be enforced if Trump doesn’t approve. It would be better if Europe, China, and Russia negotiate with Iran. If they reach a peace deal with Iran, Trump would be pressured to go along especially if other countries such as Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia agree with the deal. If Trump rejects the deal, Europe, China, and Russia can enforce the deal.
I herd this idea before. It makes no sense. Russia, Europe or China will not enforce anything. Either Trump and Netanyahu will stop interfering or the war will go on.