War On Iran: – U.S. (Again) Blocks Strait Traffic

This ain’t gonna solve Trump’s problem …

A Qatari tanker passing taking the Iranian channel through the Strait of Hormuz was a quite hopeful development for energy markets.

Al Mayadeen English @MayadeenEnglish – 6:27 UTC · Jul 30, 2026

The first Qatari LNG shipment in three weeks has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz along an Iranian-designated route with Tehran’s authorization, Fars news agency reported.

Three weeks ago, following a US violation of a memorandum of understanding, Tehran mandated that all maritime traffic through the Strait require Iranian approval.

Fars said that the Qatari tanker presented clear identification data and adhered to the Iranian-designated route, allowing it to sail smoothly through the waterway.

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The U.S. though, despite being an ‘ally’ of Qatar and Pakistan,  did not like the precedence …

MenchOsint @MenchOsint – 9:40 UTC · Jul 31, 2026

The U.S. has blocked a Qatari LNG tanker from continuing to Pakistan simply because it used the Iran-designated safe corridor, and not the US-backed one.

In consequence the Strait is again closed.

PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس @PGSA_IRAN – 13:07 UTC · Jul 31, 2026

In response to repeated inquiries, we would like to reiterate that due to continued aggressive actions of U.S. forces in the region, passage through the #Strait_of_Hormuz is not feasible. Once stability is restored, all requests will be reviewed and permits issued progressively.

Trump Orders Heavy Attack On Energy-Related Targets In Iran, To Commence This Weekend

Summary

• Trump orders major strikes on Iran, likely to start this weekend.
• US adds sanctions, Bessent says Tehran can’t pay troops, as Iran faces growing pressure.
• Most Americans say the Iran war isn’t worth fighting: AP poll.
• Iran claims drone strike on US base in Kuwait – after no new US strikes overnight.
• Oil rises as fears of wider conflict grow and lack of talks.

But this Friday’s somewhat ‘quiet’ state of things could likely dramatically shift at any moment, as has been the pattern this summer. The aforementioned Tehran-based analyst Dareini describes a serious change and overhaul in Iranian leaders’ strategic thinking, which has gone from defensive to proactive, with an understanding of the need to inflict pain on the US side in a preemptive way.

“Iranians are tired from suffering from limited US attacks,” Dareini said, charging that the US uses its declared pauses as a “deception tactic” merely in preparation for future attacks and operations.

“There has been a profound change in Iran’s strategic thinking,” he added. “The era of restraint is over. Iran has decided that, if needed, it has to take preemptive military action against the US.”

h/t WRSA for memes