Washington's Iran strategy targets China, impacting African economies
via NewsDay Zimbabwe8 min read
A recent analysis suggests that the US's approach to Iran is not a genuine de-escalation but a tactical pause aimed at China. The confrontation, which has already led to rising fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and inflation across East and West Africa, is seen as a strategy to control strategic energy chokepoints, install a compliant regime in Tehran, and demonstrate military dominance. The article argues that Iran is a chokepoint, and China is the ultimate target, given that nearly half of China's energy imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategy extends to other regions, including Ukraine, Venezuela, and the Strait of Malacca, all of which are critical to China's energy supply. For Africa, rich in critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements, the Iran crisis is viewed as a precursor to a larger struggle for resources. The US is reportedly accelerating its efforts to secure these minerals, with Africa as a prime target, often through "peace deals" that grant access to mining rights. The article urges African nations to reject the "resource-for-security trap," strengthen Pan-African unity, and forge strategic partnerships that respect sovereignty.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
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Must ReadThe United States has launched "Operation Economic Fury," an escalation of its economic campaign against Iran, marked by a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump on February 6, 2026. This order imposes a 25% ad valorem tariff on imports from any nation that directly or indirectly acquires goods or services from Iran. This measure, which differs from traditional sanctions by threatening to cut entire countries off from the U.S. market, is seen as a test of the emerging multipolar world order. The broad definition of "indirect" trade aims to target shadow fleets and transshipment hubs, increasing compliance risks across global supply chains. This new tariff regime is the third pillar of the U.S. maximum pressure strategy, following comprehensive sectoral sanctions and an expanded SDN List targeting oil supply-chain actors. The article suggests this framework could be applied against other nations like Russia, China, or African states maintaining ties with Iran. While the U.S. market remains the world's largest, the failure of financial warfare against Russia, which stabilized its economy despite sanctions, indicates that the dollar's dominance is not unassailable. The article discusses countermeasures such as Russia, China, and India boycotting sanctions and shifting trade with Iran to alternative payment systems like CIPS and SPFS, and using commodity-backed settlement systems. For African nations, the U.S. tariff regime presents a choice between trading with Ira
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