Despite the US claim of total control over the Strait of Hormuz and a successful blockade designed to halt Iranian maritime trade, at least 34 tankers linked to Iran have transited past the measures. While US forces have directed 28 vessels to turn back, some Iranian-flagged tankers have circumvented the blockade, with at least six confirmed to be transporting crude oil. These evasive maneuvers include turning off transponders and engaging in ship-to-ship transfers to mask the oil’s origin, while Iran has declared its own “new order” requiring permission for transits.
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It’s truly fascinating, in a rather disheartening way, to consider the notion that Iran’s “present” to the United States was the begrudging allowance of a mere ten oil tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz. The idea, as presented, is that Iran, in a move to demonstrate its strength and control over this vital waterway, essentially granted permission for this limited passage. It’s as if they were saying, “See? We’re here, we’re in charge, and we’ll let you have this little bit.”
The characterization of this as a “gift” is where things become particularly perplexing. If we rewind just a bit, before the current tensions escalated, it’s noted that numerous tankers, far more than ten, were regularly passing through the Strait without needing special dispensation.… Continue reading
Iran allowed ten oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz this week as a “present” to the United States, President Donald Trump stated. This development follows claims by Trump of substantial, albeit denied by Tehran, talks regarding Iran, with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirming multiple peace overtures and a presented peace framework. While Iran reportedly rejected a U.S. ceasefire and submitted its own conditions including sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, Trump believes the situation regarding the vital shipping route will “clean up pretty quickly.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood