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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Once again, Donald Trump has sized up Iran perfectly. And he’s demonstrated yet again why such a rogue nation cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.
Iran has tactical control over the Straights of Hormuz, a narrow and critical passageway for much of the world’s oil supply. The shipping channel is only a mile-and-a-half wide in some areas. Iran can and has attacked ships through conventional artillery and through suicide boat missions.
Iran played its final card over the weekend, demanding $2-million payments from ships that want safe passage through the straights. Consider what further demands might be made from a nuclear-armed Iran. Perhaps special, higher fees for tankers carrying oil to the United States. Perhaps no safe transit at all for maritime activity to or from Israel.
With this latest demand, Iran shows once again that it will never be a part of the community of nations. They cannot be allowed to control one of the world’s energy choke points.
And now Donald Trump has made a counter offer. On Sunday morning he said Iran has 48 hours to reopen the Straights of Hormuz completely. And he warns if any ships are attacked, the United States will begin targeting Iran’s power plants, going after their largest first.
This will be the final, last stand for Iran’s government. Their long suffering people won’t care whether the rest of the world gets its oil if they turn on the lightswitch and nothing happens. What’s left once Iran is bombed back into using candles for light? The only option after that will be what Donald Trump has been calling for for weeks: unconditional surrender.
Chris Conley
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