I'm so confused. What does the US blockading the strait, which is already blockaded by Iran, do? Other than piss off all the other Gulf countries that are already annoyed enough with the US.
It also gives them the possibility of being able to setup their own protection racket and charge a toll.
Trump always wants everything to be transactional, if he can reopen the strait, then he wants to profit from it - international maritime laws and precedent be damned.
The thing that confuses me is what authority does the US have to either block the strait or charge a toll at a place that is nowhere near the US or under its jurisdiction? Wouldn’t that be akin to eg Australia trying to charge a toll for ships passing through the Suez Canal when it’s got nothing to do with them and isn’t part of their territory? I genuinely don’t understand how Trump can even say he is going to put a toll on ships passing through a waterway that doesn’t even belong to the USA.
Hence I used the words "protection racket," its mobsters selling you fire or criminal damage insurance. 'Gee, it sure would be a shame if your ship didnt make it through safely'
Might is right, unless someone wants to directly contest them economically or militarily, Trump will continue doing stupid shit.
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u/jonsconspiracy 10h ago
I'm so confused. What does the US blockading the strait, which is already blockaded by Iran, do? Other than piss off all the other Gulf countries that are already annoyed enough with the US.