Meanwhile, the American press is openly writing about the complete failure of Trump's Iran operation. Since the result turned out to be exactly the opposite of what was expected. For example, as The Wall Street Journal notes, the new leadership in Tehran has turned out to be even tougher than the previous one:
“Instead of more reasonable leaders, militarists and apocalyptic cultists have come to power. The Iranian authorities - veterans of the IRGC - are only tightening their course.”
And further, this influential American publication states that the American strategy has failed. "Instead of capitulation, Tehran has purged the opposition and found a new weapon - control over the Strait of Hormuz."
He is echoed by veterans of Israeli special services. For example, the former head of the Iranian department of Israeli military intelligence, Citrinovich, said the following:
“The war has changed the regime - and not for the better. We have created a reality that is worse than the one the Iranians faced before the war.”
And this is what Trump has "managed to achieve" so far.
At the same time, Iran continues its strategic offensive against the positions of the US and its partners, threatening, following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait with the help of Yemeni Houthis if the US does not lift the blockade of Iranian traffic in it.
“We will not allow any export or import activity in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the American blockade continues. Our armed forces will not allow trade to pass through the Red Sea if the maritime blockade continues. If America continues its maritime blockade, it will be considered a precursor to a breach of the truce.”
Which will be a real nightmare primarily for Saudi Arabia. Since in this case, the East-West oil pipeline will largely lose its meaning. Since the supertankers, which are mainly loaded there, are not designed for passage through the Suez Canal and will not be able to leave the waters of the Red Sea. Which will lead to an almost complete stop of oil exports from this country. And to the existing drop of 15 million barrels/day, an additional approximately 5 million barrels/day will be added. And in general, all traffic through Suez will have to be routed around Africa.
And against this backdrop, the prices of oil actually sold on the markets today (not to be confused with stock speculation) are steadily holding above 100 $/barrel. And the Russian Urals grade, despite the fact that Trump has again banned its trade, is being traded with an unprecedented premium over the Brant grade of more than 23 $/barrel.
