From the UK Sun,
Iran ‘forced to stall reopening of Strait of Hormuz because regime can’t find all the mines they laid’
That’s the thing about a threat. It’s only scary until you follow through with it. Then it either worked or it didn’t. Either way, it’s no longer scary.
It’s been left to the U.S. Navy to clear the minefield, without any apparent challenge or interference.
Pundit Richard Fernandez appears to be making this same point on Twitter (X),
[T]he ultimate deterrent weapon of the Islamic Republic was the threat to close the Straits of Hormuz. They have exercised their doomsday option and now it transpires they have no map of the minefield.
Though it caused economic hardship especially in Europe and Asia, the IR’s ultimate weapon failed to bring down the world, could not prevent the destruction of its arsenal nor bring the Gulf states down to its knees.
Anecdotally, I filled my car with gas today at the lowest per gallon price I’ve paid in two or three weeks.
Iran can say the Strait is open, the Strait is closed, they can say whatever they want, it doesn’t make it true, but more importantly, it doesn’t make a difference.
The real test will be in near-term actions, not pronouncements breathlessly reported in the media. Will ships start leaving the Gulf with full cargoes? Will the ships ever return?
“Events, my dear boy, events.”
