“We can reopen the strait and end the fighting in seven days.” That’s the Iranian proposal delivered through Qatar to the White House, and Trump has reportedly turned it down. The strait of Hormuz carries a fifth of the world’s oil supply. Closing it drives fuel prices up everywhere, squeezes every household budget, and pushes economies toward recession. Trump is said to be waiting until after the midterm elections to greenlight renewed military strikes. Tehran is still waiting for an official answer, but the back channel has already delivered the verdict.
◆ Why it matters
Trump’s rejection signals he sees more political upside in hitting Iran after the midterms than in striking a deal now. Iran gambled that offering to reopen the strait would force Washington’s hand, but the White House calculates voters reward strength over compromise. If strikes follow the election, oil markets will spike and regional powers will scramble to pick sides or stay clear.
Source: Guardian World