Former CIA Director: War Could Strengthen Iran's Position
A US war could make Iran weaker militarily, but stronger strategically. This is what David Petraeus, former CIA director and former commander of US Central Command, said in an interview with CNN.
According to Petraeus, it all depends on how the parties decide on how the Strait of Hormuz will be controlled in the future.
- There is no doubt that they have been weakened, their fleet is basically at the bottom of the Persian Gulf.
But the Strait of Hormuz risks becoming Iran's Panama Canal if the negotiations result in Iran being able to impose its own tariffs on passing ships, according to Petraeus.
- If it's two million dollars per ship, which some companies are said to have paid, and you multiply that by a hundred or more ships per day, it's a significant amount that could help Iran rebuild the extraordinary damage that has been done.
Trump: Iran is doing a poor job with the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump continues to criticize Iran's handling of the Strait of Hormuz in connection with the ceasefire.
"Iran is doing a very poor job, some would say disgraceful, of allowing oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," he writes on Truth Social.
Already on Thursday, he criticized reports that Iran is charging a customs fee for ships that pass through.
Around twelve ships have reportedly been able to pass through the strait since the ceasefire began. On Thursday, a Botswanan ship is said to have attempted to leave the Persian Gulf, but was suddenly forced to turn back on Friday morning, reports The Guardian, which has been following the ship.
On Thursday, four tankers and three bulk carriers are said to have passed through the strait.
