Ambassador Mike Waltz recently discussed the situation with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the President will not tolerate Iran's attempts to control the Strait and attack ships. The Iranian foreign minister has claimed that Iran is solely in control and responsible for the Strait, while the IRGC has stated that ships will not be allowed to transit without coordination. This has raised questions about who is actually in control of the Strait.
Ambassador Waltz made it clear that the President will not stand by while Iran continues to attack international shipping without a response. The US has already taken military action to take down Iran's infrastructure used to illegally control the international waterway. This move has been supported by 143 nations, which have agreed that Iran's actions are in violation of international law.
The international community, including the Chinese government, has made it clear that Iran cannot be allowed to take tolls or fees from ships passing through the Strait. As a result, Iran is becoming increasingly isolated, and its attempts to hold the world hostage are failing. The US is continuing to move ships through the Strait, and world oil prices are remaining stable, even dropping in some cases.
Discussions are ongoing about how to get inspectors into Iran, and the President's patience is wearing thin. Ambassador Waltz warned that Iran's leverage is diminishing by the day, as the Gulf Arabs create alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are expanding their pipelines to move oil, reducing their reliance on the Strait.
Ambassador Waltz also suggested that Iran may be more worried about the Treasury Secretary than the Secretary of War, due to the significant leverage the Treasury Secretary holds over Iran's economy. The Iranian economy is continuing to struggle, and Ambassador Waltz advised Iran to take a diplomatic solution and back away from its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
