Iran Thinks It’s Winning the War

The Journal discusses the potential long-term implications of the war in Iran, focusing on Iran's strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz. Chief foreign affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov explains that by controlling this vital waterway, Iran aims to transform it into a tollbooth, collecting revenue from passing ships and dominating global energy markets. This control has already caused significant global economic impact, with oil prices nearly doubling and shortages occurring in several countries. The US military options for reopening the Strait are limited and risky, and Iran's demands for ending the war include massive reparations and the removal of American bases from the Middle East. With the US and Iran far apart on resolving the conflict, the situation could escalate into a longer war with potentially devastating consequences.