The push for conflict with Iran wasn't just about nuclear threats but a calculated move. By controlling the Strait of Hormuz, the US could cut off China's primary oil source, forcing them into economic concessions and shoring up the US dollar.

The predicted US military action in Iran serves a dual purpose. After shutting down oil from the Strait of Hormuz, Trump will leverage China's dependence on that oil. He will offer to reopen the spigot only if China assists in secularizing Iran and removing its uranium, using economic pressure to achieve geopolitical goals.

Despite reputational damage, America's status as a net energy producer insulates its economy from the oil price shocks devastating allies and emerging markets. This creates a flight to safety that paradoxically benefits the US dollar and markets, while Russia also profits handsomely.

Trump is leveraging America's energy independence by telling allies to secure their own oil from the Strait of Hormuz. This forces a choice: purchase oil directly from the US or invest their own military resources, fundamentally shifting global energy security dynamics.

Beyond geopolitics, transforming Iran into a stable, pro-West trading partner could unlock vast oil and gas reserves and unleash entrepreneurial talent. This would stabilize global energy prices, providing an economic upside that is a powerful, often overlooked, aspect of the conflict.

The move against Iran is not just a regional conflict but part of a grand strategy to disrupt the China-Russia-Iran-North Korea axis. By attempting to cut off China's access to cheap oil from Iran and Venezuela, the goal is to weaken China’s economic rise, even at the risk of global instability.

Iran's victory condition isn't military dominance but strategic disruption. By using asymmetric warfare—mines, drones, and missiles—to create chaos in the Strait of Hormuz, it can halt the flow of oil. This cracks the petrodollar system and achieves its primary geopolitical objective without needing to defeat the US Navy in a conventional battle.

Military strikes against Iranian assets are insufficient for the US to claim victory. The conflict's true endgame hinges on controlling maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as this economic chokepoint represents Iran's ultimate leverage and prevents a US declaration of success.

U.S. foreign policy actions against Venezuela and Iran are not primarily about democracy but are strategic moves to disrupt the flow of cheap, sanctioned oil to China. By controlling these sources, the U.S. can directly attack a key adversary's economic and military engine.