In a bold and controversial move, President Donald Trump authorized U.S. military strikes targeting significant military sites on Iran’s strategically crucial Kharg Island. This location is a pivotal hub through which a substantial portion of Iran’s oil exports flow.
President Trump announced that the strikes successfully eliminated the intended military targets while sparing the oil infrastructure. However, he issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened, further action against their oil installations could be considered. Additionally, Trump declared that the United States, alongside allies, would deploy warships to guarantee the Strait remained accessible, with Marines also being sent to the region as a precautionary measure.
READ MORE: Trump Announces Significant U.S. Action on Iran’s Kharg Island
Iran’s response to the strikes and Trump’s ultimatum appears to be one of concession, indicating a significant shift in their stance. This reaction suggests that Iran is acutely aware of the potential repercussions of Trump’s actions, given his track record of following through on threats.
In an attempt to mitigate the situation, Iran seems to be striving to maintain diplomatic relations, potentially aiming to fracture the coalition by framing the conflict as a response to external aggression.
“As a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
“It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass,” Araghchi told MS NOW.
So that immediately gives up most of the leverage they might have thought they had, probably out of fear of what Trump would do. He’s shown them in the past that he will follow through.
They’re trying to salvage things, hoping to break up the coalition by saying it’s only the people firing on them.
Araghchi noted that many ships “prefer” not to undertake the journey due to “security concerns,” but insisted, “this has nothing to do with us.”
“And I can say that the Strait is not closed, but it is only closed to American, Israeli, you know, ships and tankers, and not to others.”
The U.S. doesn’t have a lot of traffic through the Strait; the real impact has been on Asian markets. If they’re saying they’re letting those countries through, that should calm those markets. That also sounds like the report of mines in the Strait from Iran is probably a myth.
Things are going through on Saturday.
Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas crossed the Strait, Reuters reported Saturday.
“They crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely early this morning and are en route to India,” Rajesh Kumar Sinha, the minister of ports and shipping in New Delhi, said.
Araghchi claimed many ships were traversing the Strait.
He’s clearly hoping to stave off a further attack around the Strait from the U.S. and Israel.
Aragchi also tried to quell questions about the condition of the “Supreme Leader,” Mojtaba Khamenei.
“He sent his message yesterday and will perform his duties – he is performing his duties according to the constitution and will continue to do that,” Araghchi added.
If Khamenei is able to work, then he should be able to broadcast a message in his own voice or make a physical appearance. But he hasn’t. So that’s not convincing people.
We’ll have to see what Trump’s response is to this. But sounds like Iran knows it went too far, and is furiously backpedaling.
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