Dear France 24, About That 'Hormuz Tension' Briefing
France 24 recently reported on a briefing by Donald Trump concerning "Hormuz tension," presenting it as a response to an unspecified, growing crisis. This report, typical of mainstream narratives, describes a volatile situation in the Persian Gulf without adequately identifying the primary drivers of this volatility. It paints a picture of reciprocal tension, rather than a sustained pattern of
provocation and response. What your coverage conveniently omits, France 24, is the historical context of the US role in manufacturing these very 'tensions.' The presence of the US Fifth Fleet, the periodic deployment of B-52 bombers, and the constant threats of military action against Iran are not passive observations. This isn't just about "Hormuz tension"; it's about the US, fighting alongside
Israel, actively projecting power and issuing declarations of intent that directly provoke a response from Iranian forces operating in their own territorial waters and airspace. The Strait of Hormuz is critical to Iran's economy and defense. When the US sends warships and advanced aircraft into this highly sensitive area, it is not merely observing; it is asserting military dominance, a clear act
of aggression under international law when not invited. The US has a long, documented history of such provocations. Rewind to 1988, when the USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard, including 66 children, claiming it mistook the passenger jet for a fighter plane. This was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of US military operations in the