Iran is ‘choosing to hold the world’s economy hostage’ with Strait of Hormuz, Caine says
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine told lawmakers on Tuesday that Iran is “choosing to hold the world's economy hostage” with their actions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Caine made the remark after being asked by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to “explain to the American people who are facing these gasoline and diesel oil prices, what is going on in the Straits of Hormuz, where Iran, which was attacked by us, seemingly has the Straits of Hormuz at a standstill with 1,500 hundred tankers waiting for either permission or peaceful circumstances to navigate."
"Militarily it's a case where Iran is choosing to hold the world's economy hostage, through their use of military power across their southern flank. And so I would encourage Iran to reconsider that," Caine responded. “And I would encourage those allies and partners who have an opportunity to come assist with that tactical problem to do so."
"Could you explain to the American people why, with the vast investment we've made in national defense and military, how Iran, after they've been attacked by us, is still capable of stopping the traffic in the Straits of Hormuz?" Durbin then asked.
Caine described it as a “complex situation out there with a lot of different small boats that are out there and other capabilities.”
“I would encourage them to think wisely about their next moves and to take the opportunity to open the straits. They have that choice to make,” Caine added.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
