WWO EditorialSpain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is demanding that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz.
The same Spain that withdrew its ambassador from Israel. The same Spain whose Prime Minister has been one of the most vocal European critics of this war. Is now demanding Iran open Hormuz.
What this means: A $2 million toll per tanker changes everything including the politics of opposition. Spain can oppose the war and still depend on affordable oil. Those two positions were compatible until this morning. Iran’s Hormuz toll has just forced every government in the world including the most critical of US-Israeli military conduct to choose between their principles and their energy costs.
Sánchez just chose his energy costs.
What this means globally: This is Iran’s Hormuz strategy working against Iran. The toll was designed to generate revenue and challenge Trump’s ultimatum cleverly. But charging the entire world $2 million per tanker has a side effect it turns neutral and sympathetic governments into adversaries. Spain was one of Iran’s most useful diplomatic shields in Europe. That shield just cracked.
What this means for the war: Netanyahu called for a coalition this morning and got silence. Iran charged $2 million per tanker and got Spain, its unlikely ally demanding it stop.
Sometimes the smartest move creates its own blowback.
— Worldwide Observer Geopolitics Desk
