The Strait of Hormuz Standoff: A New Normal in the Middle East? Vice President JD Vance has declared that lowering oil prices is "goal No. 1" of the conflict with Iran, a shift from previous justifications for the war.
This emphasis on economic interests over military objectives raises questions about the trajectory of American foreign policy in the region.
By prioritizing low oil prices, Washington may be signaling a willingness to maintain its grip on the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, holding the global economy hostage to its whims.