Iran wants to turn military conflict with US into economic war, says expert

In response, Kamrava believes the U.S. is "determined to wrest control of the Straits from Iran," but he thinks no one knows exactly how that can be done — "not even the strategists at the Pentagon." "We have already seen the US president try several approaches, and it appears that the Americans are now adopting a different strategy. They are attacking highly strategic locations along the southern coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf," says the Georgetown University professor. "Whether this could eventually lead to a land invasion of Kharg Island or some other Iranian island is something we will need to monitor closely." The professor assesses that both Iran and the US want the conflict to come to an end, but both insist that this needs to happen on their own terms. "Countries like Oman, Qatar and Pakistan are doing what they can to encourage mediation. Whether through the already signed memorandum of understanding or some version of it, both countries recognize the need to reach some kind of negotiated solution," says Kamrava. "What exactly this will mean, however, is still up in the air." The conflict between Iran and the USA is having negative repercussions in the region, according to the professor. He says countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have spent recent decades building an image of security, stability and prosperity. "And all of this is being undermined by what appears to be an involuntary escalation of the conflict. The front between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified again. If the Houthis decide to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait [another crucial shipping lane for the global economy], we could be facing a significant new escalation. We are living in an extremely delicate moment." American blockade of Hormuz Trump stated that the US will control the Strait of Hormuz and block access to Iranian ports. Reuters via BBC US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US would control the Strait of Hormuz and block access to Iranian ports, alleging that Iran had violated an agreement signed with the country. According to Trump, the strait will remain open, but American control will prevent "Iranian ships or their customers from entering or leaving." In a statement released on The US launched strikes against Iran for the third consecutive night on Monday, amid escalating hostilities between the two countries. The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of an "audacious" attack on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which left one crew member dead and eight injured — four of them seriously. Trump also announced a 20% tax on all cargo transported through the strait, but did not explain how that would work. The money raised, according to Trump, would be to finance the American operation in the waterway essential to global oil trade. "The Strait of Hormuz is open, and will remain open, with or without Iran. We are reestablishing the blockade on Iran — so called because it only prevents Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving," wrote the American president, in a post on his social network Truth Social. "The US will, from now on, be known as 'the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz'; however, under this condition — and as a matter of justice — they will be reimbursed (at a rate of 20% on all cargo transported) for any and all costs necessary to ensure the safety and security of this region of the world, which is extremely unstable," Trump said.