Donald Trump 'Hasn't Read the Psychology of Iranians Well at All', Military Expert Says
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz blockage could destabilize global oil supplies and strain U.S.–European relations, raising the stakes of a U.S.–Iran confrontation.
Key Takeaways
- •Trump orders blockade of Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian shipping.
- •NATO allies France and Britain publicly condemn the unilateral U.S. action.
- •Expert warns blockade may backfire, inflaming Iranian resolve and regional tensions.
- •International law prohibits tolls; UN stresses freedom of navigation rights.
- •Escalation could disrupt global oil markets and pressure Trump domestically.
Summary
Donald Trump announced a unilateral blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, halting vessels bound for Iranian ports after peace talks collapsed in Islamabad. The move, framed as pressure on Tehran, marks the first time a U.S. president has attempted to restrict navigation through the strategic waterway without multilateral backing.
France, Britain and other NATO members quickly condemned the action, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees innocent passage and bars any toll or blockade. Iran responded with a warning that any threat to its ports would endanger all Gulf and Oman Sea ports, while Chinese officials warned the step runs counter to global interests.
Former British intelligence officer Philip Ingram told France 24 that Trump “hasn’t read the psychology of Iranians well at all,” warning that the blockade could strengthen Iranian resolve and provoke further attacks on shipping. Ingram also noted that the U.S. has previously endured 140 Iranian‑linked assaults without retaliation, suggesting a pattern of escalation now being reversed.
The blockade threatens to choke a chokepoint that moves roughly 20% of world oil, potentially spiking prices and testing U.S. alliances. Domestically, the move may invite political backlash, while internationally it risks a broader confrontation that could draw NATO forces deeper into the region.
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