Oh, Lindsey! You’re So Butch!

Lindsey Graham: "I spent 4.5 hours with President Trump on Friday. Here's what I think will happen next. If this deal fails, President Trump is gonna take the Strait of Hormuz over by force. We'll charge a fee for all those who go through to pay for the operation ... if Iran… pic.twitter.com/uvdu3btr4m

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2026

Lindsey Graham: "I spent 4.5 hours with President Trump on Friday. Here's what I think will happen next. If this deal fails, President Trump is gonna take the Strait of Hormuz over by force. We'll charge a fee for all those who go through to pay for the operation ... if Iran contests control of the Strait of Hormuz by the United States we'll obliterate them."

Yeah, right. You and what depleted military stockpile?

Here’s the reality:

The Strait of Hormuz is an international strait within the meaning of Article 37 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which applies to straits “used for international navigation between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone.” The outbreak of hostilities does not necessarily suspend UNCLOS. While the Strait of Hormuz is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman to the south, it is legally an international strait. Iran does not own the Strait of Hormuz, but it can effectively control maritime movement through the Strait based on its physical proximity. The Strait of Hormuz is legally distinct from the Turkish Straits linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Black Sea—a key waterway in the Russia-Ukraine War. The Turkish Straits are governed by the Montreux Convention, where Turkey has special legal authorities to regulate maritime traffic.

In the Strait of Hormuz, the right of transit passage is afforded to all ships and aircraft that transit the strait, a permissive legal right that “shall not be impeded”—even in times of war. All vessels and aircraft—military and civilian—have the legal prerogative to exercise the right of transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, provided that these ships and aircraft proceed without delay through the Strait of Hormuz, transit in their normal modes of operation, and refrain from using force against any nation bordering the Strait. Although Israel, Iran, and the United States are not parties to UNCLOS, the transit-passage regime for international straits is widely regarded as customary international law and binding on all States. Iran’s actions to block the strait are contrary to both the letter and spirit of UNCLOS and applicable customary international law.

What are the challenges in transiting the Strait of Hormuz?

Practically, the Strait of Hormuz is the only way to get oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and other goods from the Persian Gulf to international markets. Geographically, the Strait of Hormuz is extraordinarily narrow in parts, with just 20 miles separating Iran from Oman at one point in the Strait. Naval officers and civilian mariners are rightfully wary of running aground—a real concern for heavily-laden oil tankers and merchant vessels. And there are just two narrow corridors within the Strait itself for entering and exiting the Persian Gulf, thus making it exceedingly easy to identify, track, and target any vessel that transits the Strait.

While there are reports of 2,500 U.S. Marines deploying to the region, a successful occupation of the southern tip of Iran bordering the Strait will not by itself immunize shipping from threats. And such an amphibious landing would be incredibly dangerous. Iran has already demonstrated the capacity to launch Shaheed drones — with a range of 1,000 miles — from virtually anywhere in Iran. The drone threat makes it difficult — if not impossible — to guarantee safe passage through the Strait within the foreseeable future.

Just ask Putin about how well he’s protecting Moscow (which is only 470 miles from Kyiv). 

We are not going to invade Iran. We are not going to conquer Iran. This war was over three months ago.

The United States has no authority to take control of the Strait (much less the ability). If Congress authorized it, we would become a rogue nation arrayed against the rest of the world. And let’s be honest: we were just beaten by Iran. Trying to control the Strait would not lower the price of gas, or improve Lindsey’s reelection chances. Although South Carolina shot first, so they might like it…

But the rest of the country wouldn’t.

Although the simplest response is: Trump has been threatening to obliterate Iran for four months. When is he going to do it?

Brennan: "Our CBS News poll out this morning shows that more than three-quarters of Americans want to end the conflict now, with 69% saying the conflict with Iran was not worth the costs" pic.twitter.com/p0Bzh1XUC4

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 21, 2026

I thought so….