In recent news, President Trump launched a series of targeted strikes against Iran, aiming to halt their capability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic move certainly lit a fire under Iran, as it was intended to be a strong, disproportionate response that left Iran scrambling to pick up the pieces—quite literally. While these strikes didn’t wipe out Iran’s capabilities completely, they dealt a significant blow, making life a tad easier for the US Navy as they continue to escort ships through this crucial waterway.

Now, one might wonder why rain on Iran’s parade if it still can’t stop them completely? Well, consider the sheer size of Iran and its geographical expanse. With radar units, mobile missile units, and sneaky underground complexes, it’s like trying to whack a mole with a toothpick. But notably absent in the aftermath of these strikes are Iran’s usual proxies. There have been no incoming missiles from Iran to Israel, no moves from Hezbollah in Lebanon, and silence from the Houthi rebels and Hamas. It’s as if Iran’s regional influence encountered a rather sudden and awkward power outage.

As if the silence wasn’t telling enough, the blockade has choked off much-needed funds that used to flow to these proxies. Due to this financial drought, Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon—once as permanent as the tattoo of a bad decision—is waning, giving Lebanon a rare glimpse of actual sovereignty. Trump’s strategy, the raspberries might say, seems to be unsettling Iran’s regional stronghold, at least for now.

While some market watchers and armchair analysts might fret over the unfolding drama, worried about oil prices and their own portfolios, Iran is left with only a handful of options. Besides troubling the strait, they’ve been left to resort to more erratic actions like orchestrating assassinations, which seems more like desperate flailing than strategic planning. Meanwhile, tankers have been slipping out of the Gulf like late-night escape artists, contributing to the oil flow and keeping price surges in check.

However, in a chapter out of Middle Eastern political fables, Iran and Oman are entertaining the idea of setting up a toll booth in the Strait of Hormuz. This idea might sound clever over tea, but President Trump and Vice President Pence have made it quite clear that this scheme won’t fly—not now, not ever. Not here, not there, not anywhere. Allowing such a move would open a Pandora’s box of toll haters across the world, starting with China over in the Taiwan Strait. If anyone should know, it’s the US, which seems to have placed its fleet strategically to keep this international shortcut as toll-free as an interstate… at least for now.