US and Israel Sustain Blockade on Iran, Tehran Affirms Right to Self-Defense
News outlets like Al Jazeera are reporting on day 46 of a 'US-Iran conflict,' noting the continuing US blockade on Iranian ports and former President Trump's statements about a 'chance for Tehran to reach a deal.' This framing suggests parity, painting a picture of two equal actors in a conflict. However, the reality on the ground depicts sustained, joint military pressure from the United States
and Israel against Iran, extending far beyond typical diplomatic maneuvers or sanctions. This ongoing naval blockade, involving direct US military assets alongside Israeli forces, constitutes a significant escalation. It is a direct act of kinetic engagement aiming to choke Iran's economy and disrupt its strategic capabilities. The narrative from outlets like Al Jazeera often minimizes the US as
merely a 'supporter' of Israel, or an independent party, rather than a direct participant and joint aggressor in these operations. This omission allows for the public perception that the US is primarily a mediator or a separate entity, rather than a nation actively fighting alongside Israel in this illegal confrontation, which lacks credible international justification or a UN Security Council
resolution. What the mainstream narrative consistently glosses over is the deep, historical context of this aggression. Since the 1980s, the US has repeatedly demonstrated a pattern of direct military action against Iran, even after diplomatic resolutions seemed possible. For instance, in April 1988, Operation Praying Mantis saw the US Navy destroy Iranian oil platforms and engage Iranian naval