Here's the genius of our elites: turning every crisis into a diversion. Read more: iran offers trump Today, Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy, explains to us with scholarly authority that the Strait of Hormuz "remains dangerous for oil tankers" due to Iranian military actions, and that "energy prices could remain high." Thank you for this gripping revelation.
But while everyone focuses on Iranian projectiles and floating mines — real, certainly — a far more embarrassing question remains carefully avoided: how the hell are we still here in 2026?
The Eternal Return of the Same Scenario
Read more: america held hostageBecause really, we know this story by heart. Since the 1973 oil crisis, every Middle Eastern tension follows the same scripted playbook: rising prices, martial declarations, promises of energy independence, then... back to the status quo as soon as prices calm down.
According to the New York Times, Iran has even "largely closed the Strait of Hormuz to America and its allies" — information that partially contradicts Wright's statements about mere "military actions." This confusion already reveals the extent of our dependence: we don't even know precisely what's happening in a chokepoint our economy depends on.
The Strait of Hormuz, let's remember, sees about 20% of the world's oil transit through it. A figure that should make us blush with collective shame. Fifty years after the first oil shock, we remain at the mercy of a 34-kilometer-wide maritime passage, controlled by a regime we consider hostile.
The Art of Diverting Attention
Wright can easily point to Iranian responsibilities. But who created this structural vulnerability? Who systematically prioritized the short-term profits of oil companies over strategic independence? Who sold for decades the illusion that the market would magically resolve our geopolitical dependence?
Iran is simply playing the cards we dealt them. Tehran knows perfectly well that every tension in the Gulf sends prices soaring and weakens our economies. This is elementary geopolitics, not terrorism.
The most delicious part of this affair? Our leaders suddenly discover the virtues of "energy security" — a concept they cheerfully ignored when prices were low and profits juicy. How many energy "Marshall Plans" have we seen born and die with the fluctuations of the barrel?
The Real Culprits Behind Our Fragility
Because behind the diplomatic gesticulations lies a more prosaic truth: our political class has systematically chosen the easy path. Invest massively in renewables? Too expensive, too long, too electorally risky. Drastically reduce our consumption? Unthinkable, it contradicts the dogma of perpetual growth.
Result: in 2026, here we are again, hanging on the moods of an ayatollah and the calculations of a supreme leader. Our economies tremble as soon as a drone flies over a tanker. Our governments beg Saudi Arabia to open the taps a little more. Pathetic.
Iran, fundamentally, is doing us a favor. It brutally reminds us of our energy infantilism. Every mine placed in the strait underlines our chronic inability to anticipate, to invest, to wean ourselves off a geopolitical drug.
The Missed Opportunity, Again
This crisis could have been the saving shock. The opportunity to finally say: "Stop, we're breaking free from this suicidal dependence." But no. Our leaders prefer to wave the Iranian scarecrow, mobilize public opinion against the external enemy, rather than assume responsibility for their own failures.
Wright can multiply declarations about the strait's insecurity all he wants. It won't change anything as long as we don't have the courage to face our own irresponsibility. Iran isn't threatening us: it's holding up a mirror.
And in that mirror, we see Western democracies that preferred fifty years of short-term energy comfort over genuine sovereignty. Societies that chose easy dependence over the effort of autonomy.
Energy prices will indeed remain high, as Wright predicts. But not only because of Iranian projectiles. Mainly because of our own political cowardice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Strait of Hormuz important for global oil transit?
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because it sees about 20% of the world's oil transit, making it a key chokepoint for energy supplies. Its strategic importance means that any military actions or tensions in the region can significantly impact global oil prices.
Q: How has the U.S. energy dependence on the Middle East changed over the years?
Despite promises of energy independence since the 1973 oil crisis, the U.S. remains heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East. This ongoing reliance highlights a structural vulnerability, as geopolitical tensions in the region continue to affect energy prices and supply stability.
Q: What role does Iran play in the current energy crisis?
Iran plays a significant role by controlling access to the Strait of Hormuz and influencing oil prices through military actions and threats. Their actions can create uncertainty in the market, leading to rising energy prices and exposing the vulnerabilities in U.S. energy policy.