Could Iran Force Creation of a Palestinian State?

When the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, Iran retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. That had never happened before even though this Strait is recognized as the world’s #1 chokepoint for ocean-going, commercial vessels. About 130 such ships had been passing through this Strait daily as the only exit from the Persian Gulf. Dozens of them have been supertankers carrying crude oil to nations that desperately depend on this natural resource they don’t have.

Iran Controls the Strait of Hormuz

When a ceasefire occurred five weeks after this war began, Iran announced that in the future it would control the Strait of Hormuz, perhaps jointly with Oman, and charge ships a fee for passing through it. If it holds, other nations bordering sea chokepoints might do likewise. If that happens, it could alter the freedom of shipping on the seas globally. The UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was inaugurated in 1982, would no longer be completely in force.

Could Iran Make Gaza Palestine?

If Iran gains this leverage over ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and the world accepts this change in maritime shipping, Iran could do more, such as politically. It could require nations that flag ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to recognize the Gaza Strip as the State of Palestine. If they refuse, Iran could then prevent those ships from entering the Strait. Most nations likely would do so since they support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some no doubt would oppose it at first, especially the U.S. if controlled by Republicans.

If Iran did this, it might receive praise from many nations for helping to solve one of the world’s most difficult and prolonged problems. Nevertheless, in saying this, I do not endorse the Islamic Republic of Iran’s repressive and sometimes brutal form of government. I am merely observing events and suggesting what might happen.

But if this did happen, it would affirm the thesis of my book entitled Palestine Is Coming: The Revival of Ancient Philistia. Published 26 years ago, in 1990, events have progressed since then that so far are making this book look prescient. The most important half of this book is available for free reading at my website, kermitzarley.com, by clicking “On Palestine.”