Kurdish Policy Analysis

  Bolton says Iran signals leverage from Hormuz risk, urges tougher approach March 24, 2026 Erbil, Iraq — Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Iran’s ability to disrupt global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates what he described as the country’s leverage over the international economy, arguing that this reality should inform Western policy toward Tehran. In comments shared on social media platform X, Bolton suggested that Iran’s demonstrated capacity to threaten or restrict passage through the narrow waterway—through which a significant share of global oil shipments transit—has broader economic implications beyond the region. He argued that such leverage underscores the strategic importance of the strait and said policymakers should take into account the risks posed by potential disruption to global shipping lanes and energy markets. The remarks come amid heightened tensions involving Iran and its regional posture, with the Strait of Ho...

Trump Says U.S. Delays Planned Strikes on Iran After Talks on Ending Hostilities Erbil, March 23, 2026 | By Pshtiwan Faraj WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump said he has ordered the military to postpone planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure following two days of what he described as “very good and productive conversations” with Tehran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the suspension would last for five days and remain contingent on the outcome of ongoing discussions between the two sides. Washington and Tehran have been engaged in talks, according to Trump, focused on what he described as a “complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.” Shift After Ultimatum The announcement comes just days after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, warning that the United States would “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran did not lift what he called an effective blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. That deadline was set to expire later on ...

     Iran Drops “Lord of the Straits” Animation — A Chilling Signal Over Hormuz Control March 23, 2026 Iranian state-affiliated media outlets have released a stylized animation titled “Lord of the Straits,” centered on the strategic Strait of Hormuz , as tensions in the region continue to escalate. The animation, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts a dramatized narrative emphasizing Iran’s control and influence over the narrow maritime passage, a critical artery for global oil shipments. While the video does not include official military statements, analysts say its messaging aligns with Tehran’s broader strategic signaling amid the ongoing confrontation involving the United States and its allies. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil trade, making any perceived threat to its security a major concern for global energy markets. Recent weeks have seen heightened rhetoric from multiple sides, including warnings over potential di...