Publisher Steve Forbes is advocating for the United States to maintain unwavering pressure on Iran and to ensure the continued openness of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway. Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media and a former presidential candidate, stated in a recent interview that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a "non-negotiable American imperative."
Forbes drew a historical parallel to the principle of freedom of the seas, citing Thomas Jefferson and the War of 1812 as early examples of U.S. commitment to this tenet. He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, like the South China Sea, is an international waterway where "all ships of commerce should have free passage through it unmolested."
During his remarks at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas, Forbes suggested that robust air power could be sufficient to achieve U.S. objectives, but he did not rule out the possibility of ground operations. He referenced the historical engagement with the Barbary pirates as an example where "sometimes you do need hand-to-hand combat." Forbes expressed confidence that with the combined military strengths of the U.S. and Israel, the current Iranian regime could be overthrown, potentially empowering elements within the Iranian army seeking change.
Forbes asserted that diplomacy with Tehran has reached its limit and urged the Trump administration to intensify its pressure campaign. He also voiced approval for a recent decision to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine, suggesting it would yield positive results. The publisher framed freedom of navigation as a fundamental liberty that requires continuous vigilance, echoing the sentiment that "you have to preserve liberty each and every generation."