While peace talks dawdle, Trump's war on Iran is transforming the Middle East

President Trump’s war on Iran is fundamentally reshaping the Gulf region, from near-term shocks to Tehran’s oil-based economy under a crippling U.S. naval blockade to the long-term impact of the United Arab Emirates ditching the OPEC cartel. Israel and Lebanon are talking to each other for the first time in decades about dealing with Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists, and Tehran’s surprise drone attacks are forcing Gulf nations to reshuffle their priorities and alliances. Taken together, the developments show that Mr. Trump’s decision to bomb Iran is overhauling economies and diplomatic relations in real time and will reverberate in the region for months, and possibly years, to come. Iran’s oil economy faces a major test As peace talks drag on, much of the focus in the U.S. has been on social media taunts between Mr. Trump and Iranian leaders and the faltering talks in Pakistan, which is serving as a mediator. Yet Mr. Trump’s decision to block maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports is having a tangible impact on Iran’s ability to move oil and gain revenue. SEE ALSO: Trump says Iran ‘not there’ yet in offering an acceptable deal “The U.S. blockade is beginning to materially disrupt Iran’s oil flows,