Iran mines Strait of Hormuz: Tension in the Middle East has increased to such an extent that now clouds of war are looming over the Strait of Hormuz, which is called the ‘economic lifeline’ of the world. Iran has repeatedly warned that it has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz and that no bird can be shot from here without its permission. Recently, an unknown attack on a British container ship near the coast of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has given further fuel to this claim. Although no one has taken direct responsibility for this attack, strategists believe that this is part of Iran’s ploy to show its status to America and Israel.
British ship attack a trailer or warning?
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a cargo ship near the UAE was targeted by an unknown weapon, turning it into a ball of fire. This incident has happened at a time when tension between Iran and America is at its peak in Hormuz. Defense experts say that this attack is a message that if Israel or America attacks Iran directly, Iran will suppress the world’s most sensitive maritime nerve.
Why is the world eyeing the Persian Gulf?
The pulse that can move the whole world
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important choke point. It is a narrow sea route located between Oman and Iran which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. About 20 to 25 percent of the world’s total crude oil consumption passes through this narrow route. Oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and UAE reaches Asia, Europe and America through here.
geographical power
Iran is sitting on the northern bank of this route. According to experts, the situation in Iran is like a small ant entering the ear of an elephant and making it fall. Iran has the ability to block Hormuz, due to which oil prices in the global market can cross $ 200 per barrel overnight.
Iran’s chess moves
Strategic experts believe that instead of directly fighting a war with America and Israel, Iran is now adopting the strategy of ‘proxy’ and ‘economic terror’. Iran knows that if it closes Hormuz, inflation in America will skyrocket and domestic pressure on the Trump administration will increase.
Iran is using Hormuz as an ‘insurance policy’. (File photo: Reuters)
Israeli siege
Maritime trade is very important for Israel. Iran-backed Houthis have already disturbed the Red Sea, now by putting pressure on Hormuz, Iran wants to cut off Israel’s entire supply chain.
power at the negotiating table
Iran is using this tension to keep the upper hand in any future deal with America. According to experts on Middle East affairs, Iran is using Hormuz as an ‘insurance policy’. He knows that as long as he controls this path, the world will not be able to ignore him completely. The attack on the British ship is an example of the fact that no one is safe at sea anymore. At the same time, defense expert Brigadier (retired) R. P. Singh says that keeping Hormuz open for America is a question of its credibility. If Iran tries to block it, we will be on the threshold of the Third World War because America will throw its entire naval power here.
Overall, by pressing the pulse of Hormuz, Iran has made it clear that it is not going to bow down to the pressure of America and Israel. The burning of the British ship is not just an accident, but a sign of a big storm that can destroy global trade in the Persian Gulf in the coming days. Now the ball is in the court of America and Israel, will they be able to loosen this ‘pulse’ through diplomacy or will this fire of Hormuz engulf the whole world?
