Seaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Sullivan stated that Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli aggression was anticipated. However, he expressed concern about the US government’s apparent lack of a clear strategy.
“From the beginning, it was predictable that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli coalition attack and disrupt the supply of energy to the world,” Sullivan said. “However, it has been almost two weeks since the start of the war, and we seem to be still confused and have no answer to how to deal with this situation.”
The closure of the vital waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gasoline is exported, has caused a surge in gasoline prices in the United States. The AAA reported that the national average gasoline price reached $3.57 per gallon.
Furthermore, Sullivan highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the objectives of the war. “We do not have a clear answer to the question of what it means to win this war, and therefore we do not know how to get out of it,” he asserted. The former official, also with experience in the Obama administration, also pointed to Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran during his first term.
Amidst growing concerns about rising fuel costs, Trump characterized his imposed war on Iran as an “adventure action,” dismissing worries as unfounded. In an interview with CBS News, he suggested capturing the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that the waterway is now open and ships are transiting. However, the Hormuz Strait Monitor website indicates that over 150 ships remain stranded since the closure on March 1st, with only two ships reportedly in motion.
Several economists anticipate that even a swift resolution to the conflict might not immediately alleviate the pressure on energy prices. Wayne Weingarden, an economist at the Pacific Institute, noted that while reopening the Strait could lead to a price decrease, short-term increases will likely continue to strain household budgets.