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Iran's Economic Attack: Blocking Israel's Trade Artery in the Red Sea

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Aviram Bellaishe - On Nov. 19, 2023, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on the Muslim countries to "block Israel's [vital] arteries." Iran is using the Houthis to prevent goods from reaching Israel through the Red Sea. Israel's Eilat Port has seen an 85% reduction in activity. The aim is to increase the pressure on Israel at a time when Iran is in no position to take part directly in the war against Israel and the U.S. because of its own economic crisis. Iran's economy is based on oil and its foreign currency revenues depend on its oil exports. It is necessary for the West to augment the pressure on Iran by ramping up economic pressure, among other things by preventing its illegal oil exports. Israel should consider adopting a policy of an eye-for-an-eye or "a trade artery for a trade artery." Israel should cooperate with international bodies to locate, track, and report on the Iranian tankers' violation of international laws on shipping, and consider more creative actions to hamper their movement. The writer, VP for Strategy, Security, and Communications at the Jerusalem Center, has served in senior government positions for over 25 years.
2024-01-21 00:00:00
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