The Washington Post reported that the blockade President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on the Strait of Hormuz could, in the short term, exacerbate the global energy crisis and halt shipping through the strategic waterway.
The newspaper warned that such a move would deliver a severe blow to countries worldwide, particularly Asian nations that rely heavily on oil, gas, petrochemicals, and other essential commodities shipped from the Gulf.
Military Risks and US Seizures
The newspaper noted that the strait’s narrow geography makes naval operations extremely risky, leaving US ships vulnerable to attacks by fast boats, drones, and missiles.
Under the proposed plan, US forces might resort to boarding and seizing ships that pay fees to Iran, rather than escorting commercial vessels. This would require a large number of destroyers as well as inspection and seizure teams.
Retired Admiral Mark Montgomery told the newspaper that the operation proposed by Trump is “dangerous and puts the lives of more service members at risk.”
Venezuela’s Precedent and the Islamabad Negotiations
The American newspaper noted that Trump hinted at his plan by referencing his previous blockade of Venezuela, just as control of the Strait of Hormuz emerged as one of the most complex points of contention during the recent Islamabad talks.
According to a Pakistani official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive, closed-door negotiations, the talks in Pakistan addressed the future of Iran’s nuclear program and Tehran’s demands for the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets.
Despite the failure to reach a final agreement, Trump expressed optimism about a possible future understanding, echoing Vice President J.D. Vance’s statements that the core of the dispute remains Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, US officials acknowledge that energy prices may continue to rise in the United States as a result of these policies.
The US Central Command announced that, starting April 13 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, it will begin implementing a blockade on maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, based on a declaration issued by President Trump.
Source: The Washington Post edited by Al-manar website