Foreign Affairs: Iran has acquired a new oil weapon

PNN – Iran has proven that even if the entire world produces oil, it can block the flow of oil by closing the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Foreign Affairs magazine has dissected Iran’s new tool for putting pressure on the global economy in an article, some of which are as follows:

The nature of the new weapon; from “production” to “transit”

The author explains that the traditional oil weapon (the 1973 Arab model) was based on “cutting off production” which was neutralized by increasing production in other countries. But Iran’s new weapon is based on “physically blocking transportation.” Iran proved that even if the whole world produced oil, it could prevent 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas from reaching the market by closing the Strait of Hormuz. This shift from “economic leverage” to “physical barrier” is Tehran’s new and enduring weapon.

Asymmetric technology ensures the weapon works

This weapon is a clever combination of naval mines, suicide drones, anti-ship ballistic missiles and speedboats. The author emphasizes that with this “new weapon”, Iran has raised the cost of crossing the strait to such an extent that even the US Navy cannot guarantee the passage of commercial ships.

The failure of the military strategy to reopen the route

The report emphasizes that a month of heavy bombing by the US and Israel was not enough to reopen the strait. Unlike older models, this new Iranian weapon cannot be destroyed by air strikes; because it is distributed over a wide area and Iran has shown that even with a ceasefire, it can stop the entire flow of world trade again by dropping a few simple mines.

Consolidating sovereignty and the leverage of “passage fees”

Foreign Affairs warn that Iran is using this weapon to consolidate a new order: “pay for passage fees or stop trade.” This means that Iran has been able to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a “national asset” that it can use as a lever of strategic pressure against the West whenever it wants.

Shock to American Livelihoods and $5 Gasoline

Iran’s continued use of this transit weapon will push gasoline prices in the United States past $4 and likely to reach $5 by the end of the month. The heavy dependence of states like California on Persian Gulf oil has meant that Iran’s new weapon will hit the tables of the American people directly.