I think the media tried to win the war for Iran, rather than Iran winning the media war.
We have a very obvious and distinct list of America's enemies. This may actually end up being Trump's true legacy, exposing all those Americans need to destroy for survival.
Anyone who says a naval blockade that starts over 500 miles from the "blockaded" ports is "airtight" is either an ignorant idiot or a paid shill. Our ships can approach no closer without coming under effective missile and drone attack.
I am a Navy veteran. I once spent three solid months on patrol in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and those waters are VAST. The Navy can send every ship it has over there and it will be unable to effectively blockade anyone.
So, which are you, Alexander Muse? Idiot or shill? Judging from your subscriber count, I don't think you're just another ignorant idiot.
The Strait is only 21 miles wide. You patrol the entrances, and keep out any ships leaving from or heading to Iranian ports. All easy to monitor from satellites.
Have you been watching the same war as the rest of the world? Americans cant get close enough to the straight for a blockade. 1st round showed serious damage to carriers and other ships and they were no where near the narrow point of the straight.
US navy is fragile against the Iranian capabilities. Trump cant risk the sinking of its Navy.
Hehehe Robert Pape was a Democrat advisor to pallets of cash on the tarmac Obama. Pape gleefully thought it was over. According to his bio in Wiki, “Pape also argues that air power and land power should be integrated and used together in a "hammer and anvil" fashion.” Trump proved him wrong, but Pape will never admit it. Pape also believes there is no connection between suicide bombers and terrorism. This is why Democrat leadership is so screwed, it’s wingnuts like this.
Is there any chance that Venezuela will start acting in a way such that the blockade there is not needed? If so the navy won't be stretched so thin trying to maintain two blockades. Say a prayer for the sailors and everyone involved.
You're as naive and eager to declare victory as your critics are histrionic and eager to declare defeat. The Strait is not open as long as traffic numbers in the 10s or 20s rather than the hundreds of ships per day that crossed before the war started. Oil prices are down a bit today but still massively up compared to February, and downstream supply chain effects on the economy (plastics, fertilizer, etc) are only beginning to hit.
Moreover, with all the billions spent on naval ops we've managed to embargo Iran for all of a day. What happens when 200-300 shaheds attack a navy ship at once? This game is hardly over.
Why do all you writers fall back on AI??? It’s getting tedious. “What was sold as dominance was exposure. What was framed as leverage was vulnerability. Now, with a targeted blockade in place, the equation has shifted from perception to pressure. The question isn’t whether Iran can posture. It’s whether the regime can survive when its economic lifeline is cut off at the source.” This is pure, 100% AI generated text. COME ON!!!
“The triadic rhythm — assertion, inversion, pivot to question — is exactly the scaffolding AI reaches for instinctively. It feels like argument without necessarily being argument. The parallelism in the first two sentences isn’t a writer finding the right form; it’s a template executing.
And “economic lifeline cut off at the source” is the tell I half-noticed but underweighted. That’s not a writer who almost reached for a cliché — that’s output that never had the instinct to avoid one..”
Now this analysis itself was written by AI, and notice how it engages in EXACTLY the form it is analyzing!!! I happen to have spent years as a professional editor, am a published novelist and columnist in a national magazine, and this is the hallmark of AI prose. Credible enough for you?
But there’s another type of state-sanctioned murder that’s been on the rise in the Islamic Republic — executions. According to a new report by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) with the support of ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), the rate jumped 68 percent from 2024 to 2025.
“This was false. No tanker paid a toll. Not one. It was all a lie!”
You’re right, no tanker paid a toll because no tankers; other than the ones already doing business with Iran even bothered to try, after several tankers caught fire by Iranian drones during the first several days of combat. Not to mention, the insurance companies refused to insure tankers crossing the straight—so there’s that!
And the straight definitely isn’t closed—so why exactly did Trump deploy a blockade? Just asking for a friend!Therefore, you’re 💯 correct; Trump is playing 3 dimensional Chess, while the rest of us are playing Chutes and Ladders!
I should note; however, that we are spending billions each day, have lost tens of billions in planes and high tech equipment; it will take years to replace (supply chains 3-5 years). In addition, we have depleted almost 30% of our global munition stockpile which protects all of our interests throughout the world—not just the Middle East.
And to add insult to injury, we were shooting down $20k Shahed drones with $5 million dollar high tech rockets—replacement timeframes—3-5 years, if the Chinese sell us the processed minerals.
Bottom line, we’re conducting a bankruptcy proceeding on the high seas! In addition, there are the 13 service members dead. Over 300 servicemen wounded. And we’re slowly becoming the pariahs of the world.
Other than that—the war is a master class in strategic military planning and execution! IMHO..:)
"I should note; however, that we are spending billions each day, have lost tens of billions in planes and high tech equipment; it will take years to replace (supply chains 3-5 years)."
How long with it take for us to replace the billions that the Somalis have stolen and continue to steal?
Huh? Are you talking about Medicare fraud? How funny—deflection much? Not that it matters, but if we’re playing this game, Rick Scott ran Columbia HCA and ran the largest Medicare fraud in US history $2 billion—$ 4 billion in today’s dollars; it dwarfs the Somali’s, and he is now a US senator (Republican) who kept all $300 million in ill gotten salary and stock, so…..?????
Secondly, if it’s tax dollars you care about then look at all the waste, corruption and fraud this administration has engaged in: $100 million planes with beds. $200 million ad campaigns. Billions in immigration jails. $135 billion with a capital “B” in government waste and fraud because of DOGE illegally fired federal employees and tax receipts will be 10% lower because of their illegal meddling.
And don’t get me started on Trump’s corruption! Between himself, his family and cronies, they’ve raked in tens of billions. And as for the law and order President? Well a million can buy even rapists, drug traffickers and pedophiles a pardon. Or at the very least, get a convicted sex trafficker with a 20 year sentence sent to a Club Fed facility—I guess Ghlaine knows where all the bodies are buried!
Yup, Trump is truly fighting for the working man. He and his family never served in the military; yet, he is about to invade Kharg Island and send the world’s economies tanking—not to mention, sending many American servicemen and women needlessly to their deaths! IMHO..:)
Trump has pardoned about a dozen massive healthcare fraudsters. One of the guys alone, that ran nursing homes, defrauded Medicaid of hundreds of millions of dollars. Another committed wage-fraud against thousands of his own hospital employees - required restitution ---> eliminated.
Seriously? Iran is selling their oil for more today than they have for the last 47 years since we slapped sanctions and embargo’s after they stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took power.
Moreover, $1.7 billion is chump change. This regime is making more than $2 billion a day! So is Russia. Let that sink in!..🤪
Amuse, reading the comments, it seems you have really struck a nerve with the "other side"!
Their comments are so ridiculous and obviously meant to tear down all of your excellent research. Keep up the amazing work as their hair is completely on fire.
The media always underestimates Trump.
Yup!
They just lie. The media simply lied and aided and abetted Iran.
I think the media tried to win the war for Iran, rather than Iran winning the media war.
We have a very obvious and distinct list of America's enemies. This may actually end up being Trump's true legacy, exposing all those Americans need to destroy for survival.
Survival? American economic, proxy and direct warfare kills over 1,000,000 people every year. Who is threatening the US?
Anyone who says a naval blockade that starts over 500 miles from the "blockaded" ports is "airtight" is either an ignorant idiot or a paid shill. Our ships can approach no closer without coming under effective missile and drone attack.
I am a Navy veteran. I once spent three solid months on patrol in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and those waters are VAST. The Navy can send every ship it has over there and it will be unable to effectively blockade anyone.
So, which are you, Alexander Muse? Idiot or shill? Judging from your subscriber count, I don't think you're just another ignorant idiot.
The Strait is only 21 miles wide. You patrol the entrances, and keep out any ships leaving from or heading to Iranian ports. All easy to monitor from satellites.
Have you been watching the same war as the rest of the world? Americans cant get close enough to the straight for a blockade. 1st round showed serious damage to carriers and other ships and they were no where near the narrow point of the straight.
US navy is fragile against the Iranian capabilities. Trump cant risk the sinking of its Navy.
No ships are going in or out of Iranian ports. The blockade is working splendidly.
Hehehe Robert Pape was a Democrat advisor to pallets of cash on the tarmac Obama. Pape gleefully thought it was over. According to his bio in Wiki, “Pape also argues that air power and land power should be integrated and used together in a "hammer and anvil" fashion.” Trump proved him wrong, but Pape will never admit it. Pape also believes there is no connection between suicide bombers and terrorism. This is why Democrat leadership is so screwed, it’s wingnuts like this.
Brilliantly written. Clear and understandable. And insightful.
As Pagans always underestimate God, the media always underestimates Trump
Is there any chance that Venezuela will start acting in a way such that the blockade there is not needed? If so the navy won't be stretched so thin trying to maintain two blockades. Say a prayer for the sailors and everyone involved.
You're as naive and eager to declare victory as your critics are histrionic and eager to declare defeat. The Strait is not open as long as traffic numbers in the 10s or 20s rather than the hundreds of ships per day that crossed before the war started. Oil prices are down a bit today but still massively up compared to February, and downstream supply chain effects on the economy (plastics, fertilizer, etc) are only beginning to hit.
Moreover, with all the billions spent on naval ops we've managed to embargo Iran for all of a day. What happens when 200-300 shaheds attack a navy ship at once? This game is hardly over.
This "writer" just pumps out straight maga-glazing.
zb, perfect handle for a bot.
Alex Amuse naive, what idi0t would say that. It will take a bit of time to ramp up again.
Great article!
Why do all you writers fall back on AI??? It’s getting tedious. “What was sold as dominance was exposure. What was framed as leverage was vulnerability. Now, with a targeted blockade in place, the equation has shifted from perception to pressure. The question isn’t whether Iran can posture. It’s whether the regime can survive when its economic lifeline is cut off at the source.” This is pure, 100% AI generated text. COME ON!!!
Stating this is AI is one thing (opinion or trolling) showing proof of such is another (credibility).
It has all the hallmarks of AI writing. So
“The triadic rhythm — assertion, inversion, pivot to question — is exactly the scaffolding AI reaches for instinctively. It feels like argument without necessarily being argument. The parallelism in the first two sentences isn’t a writer finding the right form; it’s a template executing.
And “economic lifeline cut off at the source” is the tell I half-noticed but underweighted. That’s not a writer who almost reached for a cliché — that’s output that never had the instinct to avoid one..”
Now this analysis itself was written by AI, and notice how it engages in EXACTLY the form it is analyzing!!! I happen to have spent years as a professional editor, am a published novelist and columnist in a national magazine, and this is the hallmark of AI prose. Credible enough for you?
It's so painful to read. And it's all of sub stack these days. It's as if everyone has engaged in a wholesale race to the bottom
Great analysis Muse! Trump card played decisively! Let's see a new alliance for peace in the Middle East.
https://substack.com/@teeashby/note/c-243046763?r=z0sye
Another enlightening and educational piece that is extremely well done. Thank you.
TYVM for your consistent use of the phrase 'drive-by media!'
Where is that victory?
The entire population is now backing the Iranian government.
The USA electorate has turned on Israel instead.
Only fools back the IRGC.
It's high 90% of the Iranian population.
Nationalism rallies behind the islamic flag: such is the reality on the terrain.
As in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria... as in Viet Nam, China, Cuba etc.
I'd like to see a link on the 90% comment.
Pretty sure that comes from a poll that only includes the hardliners that are still breathing.
Slop from a bot
"The entire population is now backing the Iranian government."
https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/04/14/irans-executions-explode-to-record-high-in-2025-surge-predated-operation-epic-fury-n2201271
But there’s another type of state-sanctioned murder that’s been on the rise in the Islamic Republic — executions. According to a new report by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) with the support of ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), the rate jumped 68 percent from 2024 to 2025.
Decapitations it's called.
It's practised by the USA and Israel.
Slop
You will find out in November.
“This was false. No tanker paid a toll. Not one. It was all a lie!”
You’re right, no tanker paid a toll because no tankers; other than the ones already doing business with Iran even bothered to try, after several tankers caught fire by Iranian drones during the first several days of combat. Not to mention, the insurance companies refused to insure tankers crossing the straight—so there’s that!
And the straight definitely isn’t closed—so why exactly did Trump deploy a blockade? Just asking for a friend!Therefore, you’re 💯 correct; Trump is playing 3 dimensional Chess, while the rest of us are playing Chutes and Ladders!
I should note; however, that we are spending billions each day, have lost tens of billions in planes and high tech equipment; it will take years to replace (supply chains 3-5 years). In addition, we have depleted almost 30% of our global munition stockpile which protects all of our interests throughout the world—not just the Middle East.
And to add insult to injury, we were shooting down $20k Shahed drones with $5 million dollar high tech rockets—replacement timeframes—3-5 years, if the Chinese sell us the processed minerals.
Bottom line, we’re conducting a bankruptcy proceeding on the high seas! In addition, there are the 13 service members dead. Over 300 servicemen wounded. And we’re slowly becoming the pariahs of the world.
Other than that—the war is a master class in strategic military planning and execution! IMHO..:)
"I should note; however, that we are spending billions each day, have lost tens of billions in planes and high tech equipment; it will take years to replace (supply chains 3-5 years)."
How long with it take for us to replace the billions that the Somalis have stolen and continue to steal?
Huh? Are you talking about Medicare fraud? How funny—deflection much? Not that it matters, but if we’re playing this game, Rick Scott ran Columbia HCA and ran the largest Medicare fraud in US history $2 billion—$ 4 billion in today’s dollars; it dwarfs the Somali’s, and he is now a US senator (Republican) who kept all $300 million in ill gotten salary and stock, so…..?????
Secondly, if it’s tax dollars you care about then look at all the waste, corruption and fraud this administration has engaged in: $100 million planes with beds. $200 million ad campaigns. Billions in immigration jails. $135 billion with a capital “B” in government waste and fraud because of DOGE illegally fired federal employees and tax receipts will be 10% lower because of their illegal meddling.
And don’t get me started on Trump’s corruption! Between himself, his family and cronies, they’ve raked in tens of billions. And as for the law and order President? Well a million can buy even rapists, drug traffickers and pedophiles a pardon. Or at the very least, get a convicted sex trafficker with a 20 year sentence sent to a Club Fed facility—I guess Ghlaine knows where all the bodies are buried!
Yup, Trump is truly fighting for the working man. He and his family never served in the military; yet, he is about to invade Kharg Island and send the world’s economies tanking—not to mention, sending many American servicemen and women needlessly to their deaths! IMHO..:)
Trump has pardoned about a dozen massive healthcare fraudsters. One of the guys alone, that ran nursing homes, defrauded Medicaid of hundreds of millions of dollars. Another committed wage-fraud against thousands of his own hospital employees - required restitution ---> eliminated.
You’ll get no argument from me…:)
Obama’s $1.7 billion in cash to Iran.
Seriously? Iran is selling their oil for more today than they have for the last 47 years since we slapped sanctions and embargo’s after they stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took power.
Moreover, $1.7 billion is chump change. This regime is making more than $2 billion a day! So is Russia. Let that sink in!..🤪
Too funny.
Amuse, reading the comments, it seems you have really struck a nerve with the "other side"!
Their comments are so ridiculous and obviously meant to tear down all of your excellent research. Keep up the amazing work as their hair is completely on fire.