Rubio Warns NATO of Iran Plan B as 4-Month Hormuz Standoff Drags On
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · May 22
Rubio Warns NATO of Iran Plan B as 4-Month Hormuz Standoff Drags On
8 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 22
Marco Rubio told NATO foreign ministers the US needs a "Plan B" if Iran does not compromise, underscoring rising concern as talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz stall again.
The crisis has entered a fourth month with dueling blockades: Tehran charges ships up to $2 million for passage, while the US turns back vessels carrying Iranian oil.
Iran is losing about $435 million a day in trade, analysts estimate, putting the hit to public finances at roughly $17 billion after 39 days of the US blockade.
Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are pressing Washington to avoid further strikes and back Pakistan-mediated talks, fearing prolonged disruption will damage costly diversification plans.
Inside Iran, annual inflation has climbed above 54% and an internet blackout has lasted more than 80 days, highlighting the domestic strain even as Tehran says it will stand firm.
With both US and Iran convinced they can outlast the other, what unforeseen shock could shatter this dangerous stalemate?
As Iran nears ten nuclear bombs with inspectors blind, what prevents a covert sprint to weapons-grade uranium?
With oil, fertilizer, and tech minerals blocked, is this crisis triggering a permanent deglobalization of critical supply chains?
Eleven Weeks of Crisis: The Strait of Hormuz Blockade and Its Global Economic and Strategic Consequences
Overview
The ongoing Iran war has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route, now tightly controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Despite a US naval blockade aimed at crippling Iran’s oil exports, the Strait remains shut, causing vessel traffic to plunge and forcing ship owners to negotiate directly with Iranian authorities for passage. This blockade has triggered severe economic fallout worldwide, exposed divisions among international allies, and highlighted Iran’s use of asymmetric tactics to counter superior military power. The crisis is reshaping global energy security and prompting countries to rethink their reliance on vulnerable supply routes.