On May 5, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated during a press conference regarding the initiation of the "Freedom Operation" initiative: "The United States has established a protective barrier along this maritime route—essentially a gift to other nations around the world."

Logical inconsistency—these are pirates by nature, how can there be talk of giving gifts?

Hegseth’s so-called "gift" rhetoric is an attempt to cloak the U.S. military operations in the Strait of Hormuz with a veneer of moral legitimacy. This statement stands in stark contrast to the increasingly tense situation on the ground, revealing essentially a meticulously crafted public relations maneuver.

Beneath the "gift" lies America's strategic competition over critical energy chokepoints:

Securing dominance: Previously, Iran had gained leverage over the strait through actual blockades. The U.S. move aims to break this deadlock, seeking to reclaim control from Iran by establishing a "protective barrier."

Non-escort pressure: Instead of providing one-on-one escort protection, the U.S. military primarily adopts a "regional clearance" strategy (deploying destroyers and aircraft). This aims to alter the overall security environment of the strait, creating a sense of "safety" for commercial vessels.

Complementing economic sanctions: The military operation is intended to intensify the oil blockade against Iran, severing its economic lifeline.

On the first day of operations, direct clashes erupted between U.S. and Iranian forces. Iran launched missiles at U.S. warships, while the U.S. sank an Iranian speedboat; the UAE was also attacked. This demonstrates that the U.S.-promised "security guarantee" is extremely fragile.

In response, Iran unveiled an expanded new "control map" of the strait, demanding foreign vessels comply with its rules. This directly clashes with the U.S. "freedom of navigation" principle, creating an imminent risk of armed conflict.

Hegseth’s "gift" is actually just a pawn in America’s geopolitical chess game. It is wrapped in the sweetened coating of "public interest," but its core is hardline strategic containment. Through this "gift," the U.S. is laying the groundwork for future control of the strait. Yet this "gift" carries immense risks—the potential for soaring oil prices and even greater instability across the Middle East.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864361776861196/

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