

Can Donald Trump reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.At this point, the Gulf war has started to seem like a series of missed deadlines and hollow pronouncements. What began as a two-week truce on April 8th is now approaching its fifth week. Donald Trump claims he can ignore a law that requires the American president to seek congressional approval for wars that last longer than 60 days (this one began 65 days ago).
A blockaded Iran has managed to postpone the moment when its storage tanks fill up and it is forced to shut oil wells. The fighting has given way to ennui—albeit with ever-steeper costs for the global economy.On May 3rd Mr Trump said that America would help guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that has been mostly blocked since almost the start of the war. An average of just seven ships per day transited in the seven-day period until May 1st—unchanged from the week leading up to the ceasefire.
What he called “Project Freedom” was due to begin on May 4th. The Pentagon says it has destroyers, warplanes and 15,000 troops ready to aid mariners.In background briefings to reporters, however, the Trump administration admits it does not plan to provide naval escorts. Instead it will co-ordinate with vessels, advising them on the best route to avoid the mines Iran is thought to have laid in the strait, and perhaps stand ready to assist should they be attacked.
In effect, America seems to be daring Iran to strike.There are thus two reasons to think the scheme will have only a small effect on shipping. The first is that Iran also gets a say—and if it says the strait is still closed, most sailors will continue to avoid it, no matter how many American warships are nearby. Less than an hour before Mr Trump’s
. Read on livemint.com