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In the heart of the Middle East war, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has become a symbol of American entrenchment, responsible for the global energy shock. The strait is entirely controlled by the Iranians, who let ships and tankers pass in dribs and drabs in exchange for massive financial compensation.
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Since the beginning of the war, the strategic knot that resists Americans is the Strait of Hormuz. The passage remains blocked: “We are negotiating, they need to reopen the strait”, reassured Donald Trump.
It has become the trump card of the Iranians in this conflict. Currently, 670 boats are still waiting to cross the strait. Among them, four are under French flag. About thirty are operated by French companies. Recently, the container ship Kribi from the company CMA CGM managed to cross the strait. As the ship crossed into Iranian territorial waters, it broadcasted this message: “French owner.” Did the mention of French nationality serve as a pass? CMA-CGM did not wish to respond.
For a week, 89 other ships have taken the same route: Chinese, Pakistanis, Turks, ships deemed non-hostile by the Iranian government. “Essentially, these ships are currently used to transport Iranian oil and oil bound for China,” explains Patrice Geoffron, professor of economics and director of the Energy and Commodities Geostrategy Center (CGEMP).
Some of these ships may have negotiated their passage by paying a toll. The amount could correspond to 1 or 2% of the cargo value, for example, 2 million euros for a large tanker. By letting ships pass slowly, Iran also manages to maintain constant pressure: “It is therefore in Iran’s interest to maintain extraordinary pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, to show how far they are willing to go and to expand the conflict,” explains Julia Tasse, head of the ocean and seabed program at IRIS.
By continuing to block the Strait of Hormuz, Iran succeeds in destabilizing the global economy, and the numerous threats from Donald Trump do not seem to shake the will of the Islamic regime.
