May the Odds Be Ever in Our Favor... Or Not: Iran and the Strait of Hormuz

Another Day Another Crisis... Just Peachy!

Well isn't this just like the Hunger Games? One minute you're trying to survive the next some country decides to stir up trouble. Word on the street – or rather Press TV – is that Iran's parliament approved closing the Strait of Hormuz after some kerfuffle with the U.S. As if we needed another thing to worry about! I swear if I have to ration gasoline like I rationed bread back in District 12 heads will roll. Or maybe just… get singed by a Molotov cocktail. Depends on my mood.

Playing with Fire? More Like Playing with Oil!

Apparently closing this strait is like shooting yourself in the foot… with a flaming arrow. Experts are saying that doing so would alienate Iran's neighbors and trading partners. Honestly it's like they never learned the 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' lesson. And who's their biggest provider of the bread? That's right China. Messing with oil exports could turn China against them and trust me you don't want to get on China's bad side. They're like the Capitol but… bigger.

China to the Rescue? Don't Hold Your Breath.

Now the U.S. is apparently calling on China to stop Iran from closing the strait. Because that's totally going to work. It's like asking Peeta to stop baking – ain't gonna happen. Some experts like Clayton Seigle think China actually *wants* stability in the region because they’re super dependent on Gulf oil. So maybe there's a glimmer of hope. But honestly I'm not holding my breath. I've seen too many promises broken to trust anything these days.

The Strait of Hormuz: Our Precious Chokepoint

For those of you who skipped geography class the Strait of Hormuz is the only sea route from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. About 20% of the world's oil goes through it. The U.S. Energy Information Administration calls it the "world's most important oil transit chokepoint." So yeah closing it would be a *slight* problem. It's like cutting off District 12's coal supply. Except you know on a global scale. 'Oh that's right! Let's destroy everything!'.

How to Annoy America Without Starting a War

According to some fancy strategists Iran might try to "rattle Hormuz oil flows just enough to hurt the U.S. via moderate upward price movement but not enough to provoke a major U.S. response." Basically they're trying to be annoying without getting nuked. It’s like Haymitch's advice: "Here's some advice. Stay alive." But in this case it's more like: "Annoy them but not *too* much."

Gas Prices? Oh Honey Buckle Up!

And of course what does all this mean for us regular folks? Higher gas prices naturally. Some expert named Patrick De Haan is saying prices could climb to $3.35 $3.50 per gallon. So start saving those pennies folks! Maybe we can all start using bicycles like we did back in District 12. Just watch out for the Peacekeepers… and now apparently rogue Iranian speed boats.