The Strait of Hormuz⁠ is currently experiencing a severe operational blockade following the outbreak of the war on 28th February. The waterway is effectively impassable for most commercial traffic as of 9th March due to targeted Iranian attacks and the withdrawal of war-risk insurance. Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has issued VHF warnings that no ships are allowed to pass. Commercial tanker traffic has dropped by 90%, with most major shipping firms suspending all transits.

Israel’s role in the Middle East is one that Trump aspires to in the rest of the world. Iran, however, presents a problem to both countries. Iran has singularly remained the only country in the region that will not yield to the plans being forged around it, will not give up its sovereignty, will not capitulate when attacked, and will not allow itself to be exploited by a bigger superpower.

Why did the atrocities committed by the regime in Iran not warrant a humanitarian intervention? Why did the international community wait until the U.S. government took matters into its own hands by launching a unilateral attack on Iran in a covert operation with Israel? What is it that Trump really wants from Iran?

The tactical analysis that was removed from TikTok twice. It is a real sign of the times that my TikTok coverage of this war – over a social media platform, not even on an official communication channel – is being so heavily monitored and censored.

While the U.S. may take credit for the regime fall in Iran, the truth is that Iran’s corrupt and blood-soaked regime was already in its final act and would have crumbled with or without U.S. intervention.

The U.S. had been dialling up the notch in Iran until the country could only reach breaking point. The airstrike launched on Iran that has since resulted in a war between Israel, U.S., Iran and its proxies in the Gulf was planned long before February.

In the months leading up to this, tensions in Iran had been escalating because of external pressure that had been placed on the regime and the people of Iran by none other than – the U.S.

The idea that Trump doesn’t believe in international law is a joke, considering that Trump’s justification for the war on Iran is based on Iran’s non-compliance with international law.

The U.S. and Israel’s air strikes on Iran have now led to the involvement of Europe, the Middle East and even Sri Lanka. How did we get here?

While the war against Iran might seem like it came out of nowhere, it was in fact a long time in the making.