“Islamic Republic deploys armed supporters in street rallies,” Iran International, 3-27-26.
Taking away an international strait into the sovereign power of a coastal state is illegal under international law. It does not matter that Iran has not ratified UNCLOS (nor has the U.S. or Israel). Nor is Iran’s action legitimate under any doctrine of self defense. “Iranian Foreign Minister defends Hormuz Strait curb,” MEE, 3-27-26. The United States and Israel are correct that the right of innocent passage is part of customary international law. This present-day ability of all nations to move through cargo, oil, etc. through Hormuz was established via the 1949 Corfu Channel judgment of the World Court. Stop and think about it. If Iran prevails, there are so many other international waterways where “might will make right” and toll fees will apply. Here are some: Strait of Malacca, Sunda, Yucatan, Bab-el-Mandeb, Gibraltar, Mozambique, North Channel, Bering, Bosporous, Dover, Taiwan, Magellan, Lombok.
Good for UAE. It is time to put the Barbary Pirates down (see earlier post about President Jefferson). “UAE backs multinational naval force to reopen Strait of Hormuz – report,” i24, 3-27-26. “Abu Dhabi tells the US that it will take part in the coalition plan as shipping disruption fuels global energy concerns. … Abu Dhabi is prepared to deploy its navy as part of the effort. … Officials said the UAE is also working with Bahrain on a United Nations Security Council resolution to provide a mandate for any future force, although opposition from Russia and China is possible. The initiative aims to create what has been described as a “Hormuz Security Force” to escort vessels and ensure safe passage. There is growing recognition among Gulf states and in Washington that reopening the strait may require coordinated naval escorts. … Senior Emirati minister Sultan al-Jaber underscored the broader economic impact of the disruption, saying, “Iran holds Hormuz hostage; every nation pays the ransom, at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy.””
Quote of the Day. “There was a couple of leaders in Europe who said that this was not Europe’s war,” Mr. Rubio said. “Well, Ukraine is not America’s war, and yet we’ve contributed more to that fight than any other country in the world.” Sec. of State Marco Rubio. See “Rubio Expected to Press Allies Over Strait of Hormuz at G7 Meeting,” NYT, 3-27-26.
The (apparent) farce continues. Ah, but let’s see if Ghalibaf says this. I bet a dozen doughnuts he says no such thing. “Ghalibaf acts only with Khamenei Jr approval, insider tells regime supporters,” Iran International, 3-27-26.
“Enriched uranium hidden deep in Iranian mountains could be key to ending war,” ABC Australia, 3-27-26.
“The latest on Iran’s military attacks on Gulf states,” NBC, 3-27-26.
In the Middle East, there is an old saying that everything is connected to everything. And here we see a connection between two wars, and dark vs. light. “Ukraine, Saudi Arabia sign defense deal as U.S. reportedly weighs redirecting Kyiv aid,” CNBC, 3-27-26.
“Ukraine announces ‘mutually beneficial’ defence deal with Saudi Arabia,” Al Jazeera, 3-27-26.
“US offers $10 million reward for information on Iranian cyber actors,” Iran International, 3-27-26.
“Iranian attack on Saudi base wounds at least 10 US troops and damages several planes,” AP, 3-27-26.
This is impressive reporting. Israel usually wouldn’t admit this. “Israel Is Rationing Its Best Interceptors—and Iran’s Missiles Are Getting Through,” WSJ, 3-27-26. It costs more to defend than to attack. “The decision to use less-capable munitions reflects the pressure militaries across the region are under as they burn through expensive, difficult-to-manufacture weapons to fend off attacks from Iran’s mass-produced missiles and drones. The U.S. and Israel have knocked out much of Iran’s capability to fire missiles but not all of it, turning the war in part into a race to see which side runs out first. “The number of interceptors of every type is finite,” said Tal Inbar, a senior analyst at the U.S.-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. “As the fighting goes on, it goes down. And as it goes down, you have to make more careful calculations about what to use.” Iran has fired more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel since the start of the war. While the numbers were higher in the early days, the barrages have remained relatively steady in recent weeks, with the additional challenge of Hezbollah firing dozens of projectiles at Israel every day. With every incoming missile, officials must decide whether to let it fall in unoccupied areas or shoot it down, and if so with what system. They also have to consider preserving stockpiles to cover the range of threats that could arise in the days ahead. Israel’s multilayered air-defense system, much of which it developed alongside the U.S., uses different munitions designed to confront different types of threats. On the lower tier is the Iron Dome, which is used to shoot down short-range rockets at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars per interceptor, followed by David’s Sling, which can be used against long-range rockets, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. At the upper tier is the Arrow 3, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles that leave the Earth’s atmosphere and is among the best antimissile munitions in the world. An earlier version known as Arrow 2 is still used for medium to long-range missile threats. Israel entered the current conflict with stocks of its Arrow interceptors diminished by the war in June. … Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain are under similar pressure and have been asking the U.S. for interceptors. To help address the capacity concerns, the U.S. has flooded the region with counterdrone systems, which can shoot down lower and slower-flying threats like Iran’s Shaheds.”