Special Correspondent
When you hear “Iran” and “Strait of Hormuz” in the same sentence, what comes to mind?
Tensions? Threats? Chaos? …That’s exactly what the MSM news media want you to think with their headlines.
- READ MORE: Trump says US only ‘semi-negotiating’ with Iran; Israel rejects Gaza plan
- Oil prices climb as Iranian demands cloud outlook for Strait of Hormuz
- Other War on Iran reports
But here’s what they don’t tell you:
Iran let the world sail through that waterway for free for more than 40 years — no tolls, no fees. No questions asked.
Meanwhile, other nations have been charging billions from ships using their strategic routes and nobody bats an eye.
So why the sudden outrage against Tehran? And more importantly, what changed?
Cashing in big time
Meanwhile, what about other nations? They’re cashing in big time:
Suez Canal — billions in fees yearly
Panama Canal — charges for ships of up to $1 million per passage
Turkish Straits — toll booths are alive and well
So when Western powers point fingers at Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has one simple question:
“Why are we the only ones painted as the ‘bad guys’ when we’ve been the most generous?”
He’s not denying tensions. He’s not dodging responsibility.
He’s just asking for a fair debate, not a one-sided blame game.
Iran didn’t just wake up one day and decide to flex its muscles.
Weakening a nation
The United States has:
- Attacked Iran illegally and without justification;
- Imposed crippling sanctions;
- Sent warships to their doorstep;
- Tried to cut off their oil lifeline; and
- Worked to shrink Iran’s influence in the region.
When you spend 47 years trying to weaken a nation, don’t be surprised when they use what they have to push back.
Every sanction, every threat, every military move — the hostile campaign didn’t break Iran.
It reminded the country of 93 million people how powerful their position really is.
The Strait of Hormuz isn’t just water.
It’s 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passing through daily (before that US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28). And when you corner a country that controls Hormuz,
it will start charging politically, not just financially.
Iran isn’t collecting tolls because they want to. They’re collecting because the US gave them leverage by trying to break them.
If you spent years poking a lion, why are you shocked when it roars and starts charging admission?
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.