The Strait of Hormuz Showdown
Key Takeaways
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Degrade Iran's ability to threaten regional security
“This is about preventing them from imposing their will on the Middle East and on US security interests in the Middle East for the next three, five or seven years.”
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The Strait of Hormuz is Iran's primary leverage
“It's essentially the Iranian regime's best and possibly only leverage point at this stage.”
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Establish maritime control within two weeks
“we set the conditions that two weeks from now, we control the Straits of Hormuz and we bring shipping through.”
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Deploy ten to fourteen destroyers for convoy operations
“the most important, the one that does not exist at this moment, is 10 to 14 large surface combatants.”
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Avoid partnering with China for maritime security
“China is an adversary. They have no interest in the US being successful.”
Episode Description
President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. military would blockade the Strait of Hormuz sets up a risky showdown to control the strategic chokepoint. WSJ’s Vera Bergengruen explains what the blockade could look like, explores the global economic damage caused by the conflict and discusses what could come next in the war. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire - Will the U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Hold? - Israel Wants "Decisive Victory" in Iran. Is It Succeeding? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices