What on earth did the UK government expect to happen (Tensions in Gulf stoked by seizure of UK-linked tankers, 20/07/19)? By detaining the Iranian tanker, Grace 1, two weeks ago, apparently at the behest of the US, the UK immediately put at risk not only the safety of all British-flagged shipping operating in the Gulf, but also the efforts to rescue the nuclear deal with Iran.
The sensible approach, using all diplomatic means to organise a quid pro quo deal on the tankers, with the future release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe also included, is probably asking too much of a government so in thrall to Trump`s Twitter account. Instead Britain`s response will be more likely one aimed at getting the president`s approval, threatening Iran with dire consequences, without of course, stating what they might be. All Tories will bemoan the fact that not enough spare naval vessels are available to escort the tankers through the Gulf of Hormuz, and use it to ensure defence spending gats a massive boost as soon as Johnson can fix it. If Tory politicians were capable of such joined-up thinking, it would be conceivable that the government`s behaviour was designed for just that outcome!
Alleged "patriotic" wars can prove extremely beneficial electorally for right-wing governments. The more ships patrolling in the Gulf, the increased likelihood there is of other "incidents" taking place. No one should forget how the Vietnam war formally started in 1964, with the American government "misrepresenting" a supposed attack in the Gulf of Tonkin on the "USS Maddox" on August 2nd, and American warships firing on the "Tonkin ghosts" two days later!
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