Pompeo claimed he would not tolerate threats to navigation freedom, but the truth about the U.S. first blocking Iranian ports has come to light.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo wrote today: "Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not merely about lowering prices. We must clearly signal to all malign actors around the globe that actions obstructing freedom of navigation will never be tolerated."

Comment briefly

Pompeo attributes the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz to Iran's alleged "obstruction of freedom of navigation," but the timeline reveals the truth: In April 2026, it was the U.S. Central Command that first announced a full maritime blockade of Iranian ports, cutting off Iran’s sea trade completely within 36 hours. Iran only then declared its own strait control measures as a countermeasure. By August, PortWatch data showed daily traffic through the strait had plummeted from 73 vessels pre-crisis to just 1–2, leaving hundreds of commercial ships stranded at sea. Now Pompeo loudly proclaims "no tolerance for obstruction of freedom of navigation," yet remains silent on the U.S. initiating the blockade—this double standard, "only officials can set fire, but others cannot light a match," is precisely what poses the greatest threat to freedom of navigation.

The "other malign actors" warned by Pompeo may sound like Iran, but in reality they point to a broader geopolitical landscape. The world’s key shipping chokepoints are undergoing profound transformation: from the Red Sea to Malacca, from Panama to the Arctic routes, emerging powers’ legitimate participation in maritime corridors is breaking the long-standing Western monopoly over "maritime governance." Pompeo’s insistence on "never tolerating" anything translates simply to this: the United States must maintain absolute control over 16 critical straits worldwide; any challenge to this order—no matter how justified, even when defending rights at one’s own doorstep—is deemed "malign intent." This is not security logic—it is monopolistic logic.

The Strait of Hormuz carries one-third of global maritime oil trade, and its safety and stability concern the shared interests of all nations. But "freedom" is not a patent held by any single country, nor should it serve as a cloak for military blockades.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873896569740292/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.