Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz Friday instead of heading to Switzerland for nuclear negotiations, citing Israel’s refusal to pull forces out of southern Lebanon and US forces’ ongoing presence in the region.
In a statement read over maritime radio channels, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the US was in violation of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed Wednesday.
“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” it said. “All ships are requested, for the sake of their security and safety, not to approach the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.”
Lol
Yeah we can absolutely do those things, and some of them we probably should just on general principle. I have always been of the belief that if you give a guy a gun and he shoots somebody, and you give him another gun and he shoots somebody else, you may not be responsible for the first shooting but you’re definitely responsible for the second. And all of the ones that come after that.
So if you’re going to argue that we should take a harder stance with Israel, I’m definitely not going to disagree. Whether that will actually happen is a completely different story.
However even if we weren’t going to strong-arm Israel, it’s basic dealmaking 101 that while bluffing is acceptable in some situations, when it comes time to put the cards on the table and play them, you can’t play a bluff.
I could see this as a comedy skit
Trump: if you reopen the Strait Israel will get out of Lebanon. Israel: no we won’t.
Iran: okay we will open the strait and Israel will leave Lebanon. Israel: no we won’t leave Lebanon.
Trump: okay we have a deal!
Iran: Why isn’t Israel leaving Lebanon?
Israel: is my phone on mute or something?
Haha, I’d agree that it would be hilarious is so many people weren’t getting killed.
Yes, Israel openly says that they won’t stop. But if those are the conditions that Iran puts to the deal and the US is agreeing to those conditions, then it’s really up to the US to pressure Israel to stop (via the multiple ways mentioned). Otherwise the conditions aren’t met.