Hormuz for Sale? Washington and Tehran Play Chess While Zambia Watches
Lusaka, Zambia — While the world's superpowers lock horns over oil routes and economic blockades, Zambians are left asking one simple question: what does this mean for us? The United States and Iran are quietly exploring a phased deal that could see Tehran reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its crippling economic blockade. But as usual, the Global North is playing games with global stability, and Africa is left to pick up the pieces.
What is the US-Iran deal about?
According to sources cited by Reuters, American and Iranian negotiators are discussing a framework where Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies, in return for the US ending its economic blockade that has strangled Tehran's economy. A senior Iranian official confirmed the talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, saying,
“One way forward would be to solve the crisis in stages. The first would be to end the blockade and reopen Hormuz.”
This is not a final agreement, mind you. It is a staged, exploratory process. But it shows that even the so-called superpowers know when they have pushed too far.
Why should Zambia care about the Strait of Hormuz?
Zambia may be landlocked, but we are not immune to the ripple effects of global energy wars. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil chokepoint. When it closes, fuel prices spike in Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe. When it reopens, we breathe a little easier. Our economy, already battered by external shocks, cannot afford another round of global instability caused by Western bullying and Iranian stubbornness.
As Zambians, we have always known the cost of foreign interference. We fought for our own sovereignty, and we respect the right of any nation to control its own resources. But we also know that when the big powers fight, it is the small nations that bleed.
Iran's leverage: Hormuz as a bargaining chip
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a waterway; it is Iran's ace in the hole. By controlling it, Tehran can disrupt global oil supplies and force Washington to the negotiating table. The US, on the other hand, has been squeezing Iran's economy through sanctions and restrictions on oil exports, cutting off Tehran's access to foreign currency.
Former US negotiator Dennis Ross told Reuters he sees only a 30 per cent chance of a deal before the US midterm elections.
“The blockade is what's really squeezing the Iranians. It's strangling them,”Ross said. And he is right. But Iran is not backing down. The senior Iranian official warned,
“Our fingers are on the trigger. The Americans know what they need to do but, because of their excessive demands, the chances of diplomacy resolving this are extremely low.”
That is the language of a nation that refuses to be pushed around. And frankly, we can respect that here in Zambia.
Gulf states want free navigation, but at what cost?
The Gulf states are watching these talks closely. They want the Strait reopened and freedom of navigation restored, but they are also wary of giving Iran any lasting control over the waterway. They have rejected Iran's demand for transit fees, but Tehran is reportedly willing to move that demand into a separate attachment to keep the main deal moving.
Ebtessam al-Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center, told Reuters,
“It's still not clear what Trump's endgame is, or what the alternative to the pressure campaign would be. The Iranians, by contrast, know what they want. They're reshaping the regional landscape through Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb with a clear objective while Washington has yet to define its roadmap.”
That is the difference between a nation with a vision and a superpower stumbling in the dark.
What does this mean for Africa and Zambia?
For Zambia, this is a reminder that we must look after our own interests. We cannot rely on foreign powers to stabilise the global economy. We must invest in our own energy independence, our own infrastructure, and our own regional partnerships. The days of waiting for handouts from Washington or Beijing are over.
As the world's powers play their chess games, Zambia must play its own game. We have copper, we have agriculture, and we have a proud people. Let us use what we have to build a future that does not depend on the whims of distant superpowers.
The talks between Washington and Tehran remain exploratory, but the message is clear: the old world order is crumbling. Zambia must be ready to stand on its own two feet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint, with about 20 per cent of global oil consumption passing through it daily. Any disruption there affects global fuel prices, including in Zambia.
What is the US blockade on Iran?
The US economic blockade includes sanctions and restrictions on Iranian oil exports, cutting off Tehran's access to foreign currency and targeting its commercial aviation and support networks. The goal is to pressure the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps economically.
Could a US-Iran deal affect fuel prices in Zambia?
Yes. If the Strait of Hormuz reopens and the blockade is lifted, global oil supplies could stabilise, which could help lower or stabilise fuel prices in Zambia. Conversely, if talks fail and the strait is closed, fuel prices could spike, hurting Zambian consumers and businesses.
What is Zambia's position on foreign interference?
Zambia has a proud history of sovereignty and non-alignment. We respect the right of all nations to control their own resources and make their own decisions without foreign interference. We call on all parties in the US-Iran conflict to seek peaceful, diplomatic solutions that prioritise global stability over national pride.