Iran Just Sent a Clear Message
Iran’s seizure of the tanker Ocean Koi was not random.
It was strategic signaling.
The message was simple:
“We control Hormuz. Take it if you can.”
Meanwhile, inside the US debate, something equally important is happening.
More establishment voices are now arguing that American “credibility” itself is on the line if Iran is allowed to maintain pressure in the Strait.
That is exactly how limited wars become long wars.
The deeper issue — control of Hormuz and the fear of a nuclear-protected Iran dominating global energy flows — has not been resolved.
And until it is resolved, escalation pressure remains built into the system.
This Sunday’s live Escalation Trap briefing will focus on:
the strategic meaning of the Hormuz confrontation,
why Iran’s leverage may actually be increasing,
how China will impact the conflict,
and the warning indicators I’m watching most closely right now.
Sunday, May 10
4pm CT / 5pm ET
Paid subscribers automatically receive:
the live access link,
live Q&A participation,
and the full replay video afterward to watch anytime.
Please improve audio quality for the recording. If you can add subtitles it would be greatly appreciated by people with hearing difficulties.
Thanks in advance.
As you mentioned, several times, the natives do not get upset at their leadership in times like this - it actually increases their nationalistic feelings. See the report below from Foreign Policy:
"... reporter Ali Hashem shares his reflections from spending six weeks in Tehran during the ongoing war. Hashem currently works for the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera but has been visiting Iran for nearly two decades as a correspondent for the BBC and regional media.
"How is the war changing Iranians’ views of the United States and Israel? “For 47 years, the Islamic Republic has mobilized enmity and hostility toward the United States and Israel. Frankly, that kind of enmity and hostility couldn’t really be seen except within the ideological sectors of the community,” said Hashem. “But now, this is the first time broader sections of Iranians are experiencing enmity and hostility organically, because they have been killed; because of the attack on the school in Minab, because of several attacks in Tehran and other Iranian cities, because of attacks on infrastructure, because of threats to obliterate the whole country’s wealth and resources. This time, it’s different. This time, it’s not a cleric preaching enmity and hostility. This time, people are experiencing firsthand this feeling toward the United States and Israel.”
https://link.foreignpolicy.com/view/678dbb6bdfa14b6ea9062e8dr5z87.18pg/b3e774ae