President Trump has, allegedly, promised to make the Strait of Hormuz USA territory after he wins the war with Iran.
With President Trump it is hard to separate fact from bluster. In my view, Iran has "all the cards" to use a phrase he used last year.
Yet again, Iran and President Trump are centre stage. To a casual observer, things are worse.
I seem to recall President Trump claiming he could stop the war in Ukraine in 24 hours? Hmm.Allegedly, President Trump has called off the latest strikes against Iran as they are desperate for a deal. We have heard this before.
As an outsider, it appears Iran has the USA "over a barrel" with a stranglehold on Western oil trade amongst other things.
President Trump likes to be a powerful winner and he does not like small countries that appear to have got the better of him.
Whatever your views, the Iran war is now going on for months and fuel prices are rising again.
In my view, this war was a mistake.
Iran is (arguably) no wonderful land of peace and love. Judging by the videos I have seen it is (was?) a beautiful place, that nobody has a right to destroy. This war has put back efforts to convert this country away from being considered a warmonger to a peace loving nation.
We have seen vandals in the past who have destroyed things of beauty just because the rulers at the time did not approve - think of the UK King Henry VIII and the English Civil War and actions in Syria and Afghanistan by the Taliban.
In my view, President Trump has made matters in the Middle East and the world far worse.
With Israel, he started a war. I assume President Trump was expecting a more pro-Western government to emerge? This has not happened. Iran has emerged stronger.
Iran has long been known as having a nasty government, but the USA is, sadly, seen by many in the world as a bully. This is so sad as when I have been involved with people in the USA they have, without fail, been warm, kind and generous.
The world has been cushioned by the release of strategic reserves, but these cannot go on for ever.
The world is in great danger of a financial shock as a result of the war against Iran, that badly misfired.
It seems to me (I admit I may be wrong) that the US administration has emerged from the Iran war weaker than when it went into the war.
The USA as a whole has few friends left in the world and cannot be held up as a great model to follow. At one time the world admired the USA. Instead the USA is laughed at by many.
At one time I would have been gagging to visit the USA where I have had nothing but kindness. Not any more. It will take years to mend the hurt and damage of the last few years.
It looks like Iran and the USA (for different reasons) are tired of fighting and the Strait of Hormuz will be open again. With or without tolls, oil, natural gas and fertilizer will move again. What Israel will do may put a "fly in the ointment".
Personally I am not impressed by the current administration in the USA. I cannot see anything positive as a result of the recent war. Others may disagree.
Just watched this video about the "memorandum of understanding" NOT a peace deal between the USA and Iran. It would appear President Trump has just caved in.
It would not surprise me at all if it is scuppered by Israel before it is signed on Friday.
For several months I have watched YouTube videos about the Iran war.
In all that time, despite looking, I have been unable to find any that support President Trump and the USA! Not even one!
Almost all these videos suggest a grave mistake has been made. Certainly from the outside, I fail to see any positives, just negatives.
The moral seems to be to listen to your experts.
It looks like there may be a "memorandum of understanding" coming that may pause the war. Overall, nothing much has been achieved. I am sure that, had he had his time again, President Trump would not have gone to war.
It looks like the following have been achieved:
1. Strait of Hormuz open (it was before the war).
2. Higher fuel prices around the world.
3. No regime change in Iran.
4. Poorer approval ratings for President Trump.
5. Even worse outcomes for Republicans in the mid-term elections in November.
6. The USA even less trusted in the world.
Well done.
If there are copyright issues let me know and I’ll remove it.
Iran has been viewed by many as an evil state, but there are better ways to deal with them.
In the past I have always found the people I have met in and from the USA to be kind and generous. The current situation saddens me.
It would appear President Trump of the USA is in a mess. Iran is making life hard for US negotiators.
There would seem to be no easy way out with the USA coming out with power and believing this is a victory.
Yes, they have inflicted a heavy blow to the Iranian navy and air-force, but the Iranians still have drones and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
In my view, this was a war that should not have been fought.
It seems, allegedly, the US administration was banking on regime change to a regime more in support of western values. This has not happened.
Arguably, Iran has emerged stronger on the global stage and the USA weaker.
It has been hard for people to be clear of the objectives for this war. One of the videos I enjoy is the Meidas Touch.
Most days, I watch the Joe Blogs videos on Iran. At the time of writing peace looks as elusive as ever and the world suffers.
It seems certain that the world has suffered a shock by the closure of these straits controlling access to the Gulf though which 20% of the world's oil flowed, to say nothing of jet fuel, natural gas, diesel and fertilisers.
Oil products are limited. Even if we use them sensibly, they will be exhausted eventually.
To some extent the world will adapt, but I think it will take years and years, if ever, for the USA to come back as the beacon of liberty and democracy it once was. In my view, they have made a huge mistake on the world stage. They have made no new friends and, sadly, alienated many, who will not forget.
It looks like Iran has woken up to the power it has by controlling the Strait of Hormuz. This could have enormous impacts on the world economy.
In my view President Trump was foolhardy to go to war with Iran. The ramifications on the world are huge and dangerous. I really hope he can extricate the USA soon.
There is little doubt that this war has not gone as President Trump expected.
I am sure now that he wished he had not started it and his popularity at home and across the world has dropped.
The USA was once considered a beacon of democracy, but not anymore. The damage done to the reputation of the USA could last generations.
It appears President Trump thinks a peace deal in Iran is very close.
I seem to remember he said he could stop the Ukraine war (sorry special military operation) in 24 hours. Four years later we are still waiting....
Politics is complicated and advisors advise for a reason.
It seems to me that this asymmetric war is going nowhere. The best outcome would be de-escalation and a face-saving deal in which both sides feel they have won. The USA clearly has the military might. Iran has the drones.
The war in Iran seems to be, allegedly, without a plan of how it might end.
It is clear that fuel prices across the world have dramatically increased and it is very likely inflation will go up.
In my view, we have seen nothing yet with jet fuel and diesel running short.
Far worse impacts are possible.
Always listen to experts!
