Who guards Hormuz and who gets paid? Trump and Iran clash over control of the strait
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated as both nations contest control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has declared that the US will act as the 'guardian' of the waterway and expects reimbursement from wealthy nations for the security services provided.
Why it matters
The conflict threatens global energy supply chains and marks a significant shift in US foreign policy toward transactional security arrangements in the Middle East.
The conflict between Iran and the United States entered its 135th day on Monday, with both sides continuing to contest control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz despite an interim agreement aimed at paving the way for a permanent ceasefire. The latest escalation follows a weekend of attacks in Iran and across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, further dimming prospects for diplomacy even as the two countries approach the midpoint of the 60-day deal period.After Iran struck a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the US military said it carried out strikes on around 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots and communication facilities, marking a significantly larger wave of attacks than the two previous rounds last week."We bombed the hell out of them last night," US President Donald Trump told NBC.Iran retaliated following the strikes and maintained that it alone has…
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