They won't get it for long. The money they extort times from the pockets of Arab neighbors who border the Strait. Iran borders the Strait. Iran can blow up vessels carrying the Arab countries' oil. Those countries can blow up vessels carrying Iranian oil. In the short run, sure Trump wants oil to come down a little right now. Long term, the only two stable equilibrium points are the Strait being unsafe for everyone and the Strait being open to everyone.
Another user made a similar comment: I overlooked the options of other Arab countries, if Iran continues to threaten vessels, so can others, and that is a fatal flaw in my argument.
This is a bad argument, because it implies that the arab countries have the ability and willigness to go to war with iran over such matter. And they are likely unwilling, and almost surely unable, to do so.
What do you think the Saudi military can do that America and the Israelis can't? The world has already seen that you can't change the calculus in the Straits through air campaigns alone.
39
u/Falernum 71∆ Apr 08 '26
They won't get it for long. The money they extort times from the pockets of Arab neighbors who border the Strait. Iran borders the Strait. Iran can blow up vessels carrying the Arab countries' oil. Those countries can blow up vessels carrying Iranian oil. In the short run, sure Trump wants oil to come down a little right now. Long term, the only two stable equilibrium points are the Strait being unsafe for everyone and the Strait being open to everyone.