Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Gambit Falls Flat

The latest development in the Iran crisis has all the hallmarks of a desperate attempt to salvage a failed policy: Donald Trump declaring the Strait of Hormuz “new U.S. territory” on social media. This move is less an assertion of American power than a flailing effort to justify the administration’s handling of the situation.

The Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of tensions between the US and Iran for months, with tanker traffic severely disrupted by Iranian mine attacks and drone strikes. Trump’s attempt to claim the strait as US territory is not just a bid to rebrand the crisis but also to deflect blame from his own administration. By implying that the US has gained control over the strait, Trump hopes to obscure the fact that his government has been unable to ensure safe passage for ships through this critical waterway.

Trump’s move bears striking similarities to other instances of his administration’s penchant for tweeting policy announcements rather than actually implementing them. This pattern is evident in issues like North Korea and trade deals – bold declarations followed by meager action. In the case of the Strait of Hormuz, it’s clear that Trump’s tweetstorm reflects his own frustrations with the situation rather than any real change in US policy.

The actual state of play on the ground remains dire. Tankers continue to navigate the strait at a snail’s pace, and Iranian mines and drones remain a significant threat to shipping. The US has failed to secure its interests in the region despite months of military action. Trump’s latest pronouncement essentially boils down to “we’re taking control” without any concrete evidence to support this claim.

The war with Iran has been costly and unpopular for Americans, with gas prices having skyrocketed by over $1 per gallon since February. The administration’s insistence that the conflict will soon conclude in a US victory is increasingly at odds with reality. As we approach the six-month mark, there’s no sign of any meaningful progress towards ending the war.

Even some of Trump’s closest supporters on Capitol Hill are beginning to realize that his policy is not only a disaster for American interests but also a liability for his own party. West Virginia Senator Jim Justice recently warned that his party was “scared to death” about the effects of this war on their election prospects.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a tinderbox, waiting to be ignited by another miscalculation or misstep from either side. Trump’s latest gambit only serves to underscore the need for a more coherent and effective US policy in the Middle East – one that prioritizes diplomacy over grandstanding and actually addresses the security concerns of both the US and its allies.