The longer we go without oil from the Persian Gulf, the less we’ll need it, says Christopher Smart for the New York Times. NEW YORK: Whatever peace agreement the United States and Iran may cobble together, there will be no quick return to pre-war energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Even after the mines are cleared, it will take a brave tanker captain to trust that the passage is once again secure - and higher insurance costs could raise the price of that trip by millions. But with every