Trump is infamous for his cavalier disregard for the truth. So, we, in South Korea, should inspect his words and claims critically. In fact, many of the claims in his recent 1 April (US time) address are false and constitute disinformation. So, let’s cut through the fog of war:
Lie One: The US is Winning the War Against Iran.
The US might have air and naval superiority, but Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz offers it a key strategic point with which to pressure the US and Israel. Furthermore, while the US is fighting a war of choice, Iran’s regime is fighting a war of existence, giving it a qualitatively different level of resolve. Having spent over $38 billion for 33 days of war, Trump’s approval ratings are falling to 35 percent as the war impacts the economy.
Lie Two: Oil Stopped at the Strait of Hormuz Doesn’t Impact the US
The shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t just impact the countries importing oil from it. It raises global oil prices, contributing to inflationary pressures and lowering growth around the world, including within the US. The war has increased gas prices and plummeted the stock market in the US.
Lie Three: The Obama Era Deal to Denuclearize Iran Was a Waste of Time
The Obama-era deal would have limited Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent, enough for nuclear power, for 15 years. When Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018, he ended all such commitments. Today, even as US and Iran peace negotiations were ongoing, Trump attacked Iran, in bad faith, accusing it of an imminent attack despite the lack of intelligence. If anything, Trump’s arbitrary actions reinforce the logic that ‘if you have the bomb, you don’t get bombed.’
Lie Four: Taking Out Iran’s ‘Electric Generating Plants’ Would Win the War
Not only would this constitute a war crime upon millions of civilians, it would provoke Iran’s massive retaliation upon the energy exporting countries in the region and sink the global economy into an unprecedented energy crisis.
One Truth: Countries Should Secure Safe Access to the Strait of Hormuz
But, it should do so NOT by following Trump to war. Even a complete pragmatist would balk at the claim that South Korean frigates can secure access through force when even the might of the US Navy cannot. In fact, we should distance ourselves from this war of choice with its atrocious war crimes. Japan has rejected Trump’s calls to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz and secured transit through direct negotiations with Iran. Likewise, China, India, and Pakistan have secured access.
Ultimately, despite Trump’s claims that this is meant to benefit the people of Iran, his war of choice is simply resulting in senseless killing and destruction of the country. Whatever one thinks of the Iranian government, bombs and threats won’t collapse it. In fact, they fuel resistance and martyrdom. Thus, despite Trump’s claim that the initial decapitation missions were successful, Iran had prepared for this with a leadership structure four layers deep. If a government head is killed, another immediately steps up. People in the United States are rising up against Trump’s white supremacy at home and abroad. Now, it’s time that people around the world demand that their governments oppose Trump’s military adventurism. For us in South Korea that should start with a resolute no against dispatching Korean frigates to join Trump’s war.
