Unwinnable War: On Trump's Operation Project Freedom and the Strait of Hormuz Stalemate

📌 Summary:

• Context: US and Israel launched war on Iran (Feb 28); Iran closed Strait of Hormuz in retaliation; Trump launched Operation Project Freedom to militarily reopen it
• Core argument: Operation was a strategic failure — military coercion cannot substitute diplomacy; Strait remains closed despite operation
• Causal chain:
  • US-Israel war on Iran → Iran closes Hormuz → global shipping and energy supply severely disrupted
  • Trump's ultimatums to Iran rejected → Operation Project Freedom launched
  • Iran fired at two US destroyers; attacked UAE tanker off Oman's coast; UAE (strategic US-Israel partner) attacked twice
  • Operation lasted barely 50 hours; Trump paused it "at request of Pakistan"
  • Hormuz remains closed; Trump's victory claims contradict ground reality
• Key data: Operation lasted <50 hours; two US destroyers fired upon; UAE tanker attacked; Strait of Hormuz handles ~20% of global oil trade

📚 Prelims Fact:

• Strait of Hormuz: narrow waterway between Iran and Oman; ~20% of global oil trade passes through; closure has severe impact on global energy prices and India's import costs