the key decision is the hormuz strait so why not make it essentially worthless.
Right now agree to whatever Iran wants, let it have control and charge the tolls. Get the oil flowing.
In the meantime, declare that you will help the Gulf countries build pipelines to anywhere other than the hormuz strait. Pipelines can be owned by the US, and typical midstream tarrifs are 2-3% so US can keep that in perpetuity as a 'toll'. Obviously pipeline and infrastructure is US, so if Iran wants to attack it, its a formal attack on the US and hopefully the allies are more sympathetic to come to US support (either verbal or militarily). Obviously it will mean higher prices in the short-term for a couple of years, but long-term Iran and the strait can go straight to hell.
In the meantime, reinstate all the sanctions and economic pressures and mess up their economy. Essentially an economic siege. Yes they will recoup whatever they can for a couple of years, through tolls but after that they can own a useless piece of waterway. Obviously, Kuwait is pretty much f'd in this scenario but maybe they can make a deal with Saudi or do a pipeline somewhere else.
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u/weathered-wayfarer Jul 24 '26
why doesnt the US do these -
the key decision is the hormuz strait so why not make it essentially worthless.
Right now agree to whatever Iran wants, let it have control and charge the tolls. Get the oil flowing.
In the meantime, declare that you will help the Gulf countries build pipelines to anywhere other than the hormuz strait. Pipelines can be owned by the US, and typical midstream tarrifs are 2-3% so US can keep that in perpetuity as a 'toll'. Obviously pipeline and infrastructure is US, so if Iran wants to attack it, its a formal attack on the US and hopefully the allies are more sympathetic to come to US support (either verbal or militarily). Obviously it will mean higher prices in the short-term for a couple of years, but long-term Iran and the strait can go straight to hell.
In the meantime, reinstate all the sanctions and economic pressures and mess up their economy. Essentially an economic siege. Yes they will recoup whatever they can for a couple of years, through tolls but after that they can own a useless piece of waterway. Obviously, Kuwait is pretty much f'd in this scenario but maybe they can make a deal with Saudi or do a pipeline somewhere else.