Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Abu al-Qasim
Researcher, the International Institute for Iranian Studies and Editorial Director for the Journal of Iranian Studies (JIS)
Abstract
This paper explores the emergence of the Strait of Hormuz as a key tool of influence in the conflict between the United States and Iran. The United States’ attack on Iran and its efforts to topple the ruling establishment effectively opened the door for maritime traffic to be disrupted in the strait. Given the severe global repercussions — particularly for energy security and the supply of strategic commodities — this Iranian strategy is an important factor that has shaped the trajectory of the conflict.
The paper argues that the strategy has provided Iran with both a deterrent capability and a bargaining tool that has helped limit its losses and compromises at the negotiating table. At the same time, the paper argues that treating the Strait of Hormuz as a long-term and reliable strategic asset carries substantial risks and limitations. Legal and regulatory restrictions, together with the broader international balance of power, present significant obstacles to adopting such a standpoint.
To assess the aforesaid dynamics, the paper examines the strategic importance of the strait in Iran’s regional policy, its use in the context of the current conflict with the United States and Israel, the advantages Iran has accrued from this strategy and the challenges ahead.
