No. of Recommendations: 13
Trump Tells Aides to Prepare for Extended Blockade of Iran
The president prefers decisive victories, but none of the available options provides him with a swift exit from the conflict President [Trump] has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, U.S. officials said, targeting the regime’s coffers in a high-risk bid to compel a nuclear capitulation Tehran has long refused.
In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion in the Situation Room, Trump opted to continue [squeezing Iran’s economy] and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports. He assessed that his other options—resume bombing or walk away from the conflict—carried more risk than maintaining the blockade, officials said.
Yet continuing [the blockade] also prolongs a conflict that has driven up gas prices, hurt Trump’s poll numbers and further darkened Republicans’ prospects in the [midterm elections]. It has also caused the [lowest number of transits] through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-tells-...The Journal has this as their lead story today, indicating they think it’s rather important; as gas and oil stocks are about to start running out (particularly in Asia, but also elsewhere) we can expect to see continued pressure on prices, shortages, and downstream effects in industries where petro plays a non-energy role such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers. Many think it has the legs to kick of a recession as well.
It’s tough negotiating with religious zealots, but I guess that cuts both ways, eh?
