U.S. Strategy: Targeting China and Europe, Not Iran

THE BACKGROUND OF THE HORMUZ CRISIS: 'THE MAIN TARGET IS TO WEAKEN CHINA AND EUROPE ECONOMICALLY'

In the evening news of Habertürk TV, maritime law expert Av. Capt. Cahit İstikbal, who was a guest of anchor Hülya Hökenek, comprehensively evaluated the mine crisis in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-Israel tension and the strategic moves of the United States in the region.

THE TECHNICAL ASPECT OF MINE CLEARANCE

İstikbal began by providing explanations regarding the technical framework of the mine clearance process, stating that the mine threat could be eliminated through surveys conducted by mine sweeping vessels, and that there are specially manufactured ships for this purpose. He reminded that Iran had previously declared a safe passage route within its territorial waters and expressed that international maritime traffic can currently be maintained through this route.

'THE BLOCKADE HAS NOT YET BEEN LIFTED'

İstikbal pointed out that despite the technical cleaning process, the United States has not yet lifted its blockade in the region, emphasizing that this is not coincidental. The expert lawyer-captain argued that looking at the last decade of U.S. foreign policy practice, the current situation is not a surprising development, but rather a manifestation of a strategically woven plan.

CLAIM OF A THREE-STAGE STRATEGIC PLAN

According to İstikbal’s original thesis presented in the interview, the United States is pursuing a three-stage strategy on the international stage: As the first stage, he pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming that negotiations were disrupted by the U.S., and that Russia was virtually forced to attack Ukraine, subsequently closing Europe’s doors to Russian energy and weakening the continent economically.

In the current period, which he characterized as the second stage, İstikbal stated that international law has effectively been suspended, and even the United Nations and NATO have been rendered ineffective. He argued that Trump’s rise to power was a necessary element of this strategic plan. According to İstikbal, if Russia had not been preoccupied with the Ukraine issue, developments in Syria would not have manifested in this context either.

'THE U.S. HAS NO GRUDGE AGAINST IRAN'

In one of the most striking observations of the interview, İstikbal clearly stated that the United States does not have a direct animosity towards Iran. According to the expert, the main goal of the U.S. is to raise global energy prices through Hormuz, to obstruct China’s 'Belt and Road' initiative, and to corner both China and the European Union economically. İstikbal stated, 'Iran may be a strategic target for Israel; however, it is not for the United States. In fact, I would go further to say: Iran’s possession of nuclear capability is merely an excuse.'

PARALLEL BETWEEN VENEZUELA AND IRAN AND ENERGY PRICES

İstikbal particularly emphasized that the Iranian move was not executed before Venezuela, noting that Venezuelan oil was first brought under control, and then global energy prices were raised through the Iran-Hormuz axis. The expert predicted that this price level would remain high for two to three years.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON NATO DISCUSSIONS

İstikbal argued that the Trump administration's criticisms of NATO were not coincidental or personal, emphasizing that this narrative is a conscious strategy aimed at increasing military expenditures of European Union countries. He also expressed his agreement with the statement of the French President that NATO is an organization that has experienced 'brain death.'

DOLLAR HEGEMONY AND THE TRUTH ABOUT GOLD

Speaking with concrete data in the interview, İstikbal stated that the U.S. dollar is used in international transfers at a rate of fifty-five percent, while the Euro's share is sixteen percent, and gold's share has risen to eighteen percent. He argued that the increase in the shares of gold and the Euro poses a direct threat to the United States, and that weakening rival economies is essential to neutralize this threat.

'IRAN MADE A SMART MOVE IN CHESS'

Evaluating Iran's decision to reopen Hormuz with a chess metaphor, İstikbal interpreted the Tehran administration's move as follows: Iran realized that the primary demander for Hormuz to remain closed was the United States, and by reopening the strait with a ceasefire, it fulfilled its promise and strategically cornered the U.S. According to İstikbal, this move is an extremely ingenious defensive tactic on the chessboard.

'TRUMP IS JUST A CONVENIENT FIGURE'

At the conclusion of the interview, İstikbal emphasized that the strategy being pursued is not a personal Trump policy, but a manifestation of the institutional will of the American state, stating, 'It is the American state that is doing this. Trump is merely positioned there as a convenient figure.'

İstikbal: The Main Target of the U.S. is Not Iran, But China and Europe

Av. Capt. Cahit İstikbal evaluated the Hormuz crisis on Habertürk: 'The U.S. has no war with Iran; the aim is to weaken China and the EU by raising oil prices.'

April 17, 2026 20:21

: April 17, 2026 20:44

Source: SeaNews Türkiye