Not stated above. Iran has spent the time between 1979 and 2026 building social, military, and political infrastructure to ensure that a decapitation strike, like the one carried out on 28 February, would not destabilize the country or even upset the leadership system of the state. If anything, US didn’t account for the galvanizing force of being attacked.
Iran has exercised leverage for decades. Funding.and arming Hamas and Hezbollah to wage proxy war against US ally Israel and forestall the ambition of regional nemesis Saudi Arabia. Iran held off US-backed Iraq in war, at great cost, for 8 long years. Iran sells their oil to their allies, defends their territory effectively, and suppresses popular uprisings within. Iran may not be a global power, but it is certainly a regional one.
Control of the Strait does not make for a happy global community. Controlling the Strait is expensive. Better to wield the threat of its closure and extract concessions or support from other nations. Its cheaper, more neighbourly, and keeps up appearances. “Exercising” leverage by closing the Strait, from either side and for however long, just makes things worse for everyone. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Not, “lookit my big stick! I’ll hit you!”
What Iran seeks to gain with control of the Strait is recognition of their regional power, an end to hostilities, and a return to a status quo that existed before the Red Hats had their day. It has cost them dearly. However, within living memory, war against Saddam Hussein cost between 200K and 500K lives.
Control of the Strait turns the world against the Red Hats. Hopefully, it turns Americans as well.
Not stated above. Iran has spent the time between 1979 and 2026 building social, military, and political infrastructure to ensure that a decapitation strike, like the one carried out on 28 February, would not destabilize the country or even upset the leadership system of the state. If anything, US didn’t account for the galvanizing force of being attacked.
Iran has exercised leverage for decades. Funding.and arming Hamas and Hezbollah to wage proxy war against US ally Israel and forestall the ambition of regional nemesis Saudi Arabia. Iran held off US-backed Iraq in war, at great cost, for 8 long years. Iran sells their oil to their allies, defends their territory effectively, and suppresses popular uprisings within. Iran may not be a global power, but it is certainly a regional one.
Control of the Strait does not make for a happy global community. Controlling the Strait is expensive. Better to wield the threat of its closure and extract concessions or support from other nations. Its cheaper, more neighbourly, and keeps up appearances. “Exercising” leverage by closing the Strait, from either side and for however long, just makes things worse for everyone. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Not, “lookit my big stick! I’ll hit you!”
What Iran seeks to gain with control of the Strait is recognition of their regional power, an end to hostilities, and a return to a status quo that existed before the Red Hats had their day. It has cost them dearly. However, within living memory, war against Saddam Hussein cost between 200K and 500K lives.
Control of the Strait turns the world against the Red Hats. Hopefully, it turns Americans as well.
they also have china and russia backing them, as its useful for those 2 powers as well.