The Strait of Hormuz Choke Point

[Gerard Fisher]

I passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 1978 on Canadian Pacific MV TG Shaughnessy. We went there to load Iranian oil from a jetty. A thorough dump if I ever saw one.

Anyway, watching developments in the Middle East, one of the reasons Israel is holding back from a full assault on Iran is that the Iranians have threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz. This would likely send the world economy into meltdown. The US and other nations might choose to provide armed escort out of the Gulf but how many merchant men would want to risk their lives? This is no longer a game of handbags at ten paces.

So, to all those armchair generals urging an Israeli assault on Iran, careful what you wish for.

In the meantime we are seeing an emerging alliance between Russia and Iran. The land link between the two countries lies in the Caucasus. Georgia and Armenia have essentially been neutralised by Russia. Azerbaijan, on the other hand has fallen entirely into the Russian sphere of influence. Witness how Russia permitted the Azerbaijani invasion and capture of the Armenian enclave Nagorno-Karabakh. This re-alignment in the Caucasus is happening in plain sight and the West is doing nothing but pick its collective nose.

What this re-alignment means is that Iran and Russia can now mutually support each other in the event of a conflict with Israel. The proposed rail link between southern Russia and northern Iran through Azerbaijan and Armenia will aid easy cross-border assistance. To think of all the blood shed by the late British Empire in order to block Russian access to the Indian Ocean through Iran. A centuries-old Russian dream is about to come true.

This Caucasian alliance is worrying: 3 major oil producers, Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran aiding one another to bust western sanctions. We are truly buggered. I agree with the support the West is giving Ukraine. But Israel, architects of their own impending downfall?

[Des Taff Jenkins]

If any of the Arab countries want to block the straits of Hormuz they can, but it is also the main outlet for Arab oil and their lifeblood. I did so many trips through there it was like the main street of my home town, I doubt any Country even the Houties would attempt to entirely block it.
Des