ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has publicly mocked the United States’ shifting military objectives in the Middle East. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Asif questioned the logic of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign, suggesting that Washington’s current focus on “reopening” the Strait of Hormuz is redundant.
“The goal of the war seems to have shifted to opening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war,” Asif posted, highlighting the circular nature of the conflict’s justification.
The Global Energy Chokehold
While Asif noted the Strait was functional prior to hostilities, the current reality is one of near-total paralysis. The waterway, which typically handles 20% of global crude oil and LNG, has seen a catastrophic decline in traffic since the conflict began.
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95% Shipping Drop: Daily transits have plummeted from an average of 120 vessels to just a handful.
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March Statistics: Between March 1 and March 25, only 155 crossings were recorded by analytics firm Kpler—a fraction of the usual volume.
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Current Activity: On Wednesday, only two vessels were detected transiting the strait, both heading west.
Failed Peace Proposals
As military strikes continue, a diplomatic stalemate has emerged. Iran has officially dismissed a 15-point U.S. proposal aimed at pausing the war.
| U.S. Proposal Highlights | Iran’s Counterproposal Requirements |
| Sanctions relief and nuclear rollback | Halt to the killing of Iranian officials |
| Limits on missile programs | War reparations and end of hostilities |
| Reopening the Strait of Hormuz | Recognized sovereignty over the Strait |
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this hardline stance, telling state TV, “No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any.”
The Human Cost
The conflict has resulted in a staggering loss of life and massive displacement across the region:
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Iran: 1,500+ deaths
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Lebanon: 1,100+ deaths
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Israel: 16 deaths
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United States: 13 military fatalities
With millions displaced in Lebanon and Iran, and the global economy reeling from supply chain disruptions, the “war goal” of securing the Strait remains a point of intense international contention.
