Reportedly — if you believe the reports — there are now some 172 vessels heading to the U.S. to buy gas and oil because the Strait of Hormuz is cordoned off.
True or not, this raises the question whether the wily Donald Trump, our 47th president, has all along had his eyes set on establishing the U.S. as the world’s premier oil exporter, and not necessarily regime change or nuclear disarmament in Iran.
Good question. If those reports are accurate of a global flotilla on its way, there may be some credibility to this strategy, but to succeed, it might require keeping the Strait closed for an extended period. Weeks, months, years?
After all, removing Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela was Trump’s stated goal in that country, but what was the end result? Answer: Trump gained control over the Venezuelan oil industry. See what I mean?
Trump’s actions over the next several days and weeks vis-à-vis Iran may reveal his true motive. He probably can’t find a Delcy Rodriquez surrogate in Iran to take over that country’s oil production, but he may be able to entice nations to shop at U.S. ports as a “safe” alternative.
Time will tell.
