|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-iran-regime-deal-blockade-81d54ad2?mod=opinion_lead_pos1
U.S. Blockade Keeps the Economic Pressure on Iran
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - Iran has launched at least 22 strikes in the past two weeks, getting away with firing 52 drones and 12 missiles. Yet the price of oil has stayed around $80, in part due to the 8 million barrels a day that U.S. officials say is being sneaked out of the Strait of Hormuz. If that oil - plus the rest exported via pipelines that avoid the Strait - can be sustained or increased, the U.S. has the economic upper hand. The U.S. blockade is costing Iran's regime $435 million a day in lost economic activity. Inflation and unemployment are soaring while Iran's industrial base remains devastated and the currency collapses further. The better option, then, would be to continue the pressure of the blockade and sanctions, rather than sign a deal that hands over control of the Strait and gives economic relief up front, while knowing that Iran will violate its commitments.