Closure of strait of Hormuz puts pressure on region’s economies amid growing resentment about conflict started by US and Israel

An eerie quiet hangs over Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial port. Usually a thriving maritime hub of the United Arab Emirates, now ships stand docked and silent. Not far out along the hazy horizon, a backlog of hundreds of tankers have lined up in recent days, halted along a waterway flooded with danger.

Any vessel heading past Ras Al Khaimah out to the Arabian Sea must traverse the world’s most treacherous strip of water for shipping today: the strait of Hormuz. Just over 20 nautical miles from Ras Al Khaimah, two oil tankers heading for the strait were attacked by Iranian missiles this week, one catching fire.

It is one of the many consequences facing Gulf states as they are pulled deeper into a war that they did not start and had diplomatically tried to prevent.

For decades, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman have allowed US military bases, infrastructure or access on their soil, and have been among the largest buyers of American weapons and technology. In return, the US has stood as the Gulf’s closest and most significant military partner and protector.

But now, Gulf states have growing concerns over the relationship, analysts say, after Donald Trump was seen to wilfully torpedo peaceful diplomatic negotiations in favour of starting a war in the Middle East.

  • baller_w@lemmy.zipEnglish
    7·
    2 days ago

    Yeah, taking the L would be best for everyone in the short term, but the Iranians must seek nuclear arms now, at any cost, because it’s the only thing that makes other countries take each other seriously so it seems. So the options of the US all suck:

    1. Allow Iran to gain nuclear capability, and deal with the consequences (which I think may include a nuclear detonation on US soil). Israel and the US won’t let that happen.
    2. Invade, get all fissile material out of Iran, and engage in nation building activities (again) which has never ended badly /s. I think this is the most likely option.
    3. Declare victory and leave Israel to do their worst.

    I really don’t see any other option here. The market will tank, energy prices go trough the roof, we hit another depression, and everyone the world over feels the pain. 30% of Americans will still back this play because of “freedom” or because “Kamala would have done the same thing” (I disagree, but guess who did do this? NOT KAMALA).

    This die was cast when Trump tore up the nuclear deal which met be the biggest strategic blunder since Bush The Lesser invaded Iraq for no reason other than to “get even”.

    My entire life we’ve been at war and I can’t believe we’re here again…