Iran has reportedly shut down the Strait of Hormuz in response to a joint attack by the United States and Israel…let’s break it down!
British Admiral Horatio Nelson, “a ship’s a fool to fight a fort.”
(UNCTAD) estimates that maritime commerce is vital to the global economy, handling over 80% of trade by volume and 70% by value. Its efficiency and capacity make it essential for moving bulk goods and manufactured products across continents.
Historically, the defense of these maritime routes was provided by the Navies of the predominant world powers.
But with the dawn of the 21st Century, technological advancement in military weapon systems has reshaped the defensive architecture of these routes by enabling land forces to defend these maritime areas.
Equipped with long-range missiles, sophisticated sensors, and unified command systems, they can now challenge or restrict naval forces and commercial activities in important maritime areas.
Now comes the news that Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz!
This is not the first time Iran has tried to exploit the world’s dependence on this vital waterway and increase its strategic leverage.
In recent years, Iran has periodically seized tankers and cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Most notably, the British-flagged Stena Impero in 2019, the St. Nikoals in January 2024, and the recent detention of the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Talara in November 2025.
So, from the “Tanker War” of the 1980s to drone attacks and ship detentions in the 2000’s, Western policy has been ineffective in dealing with this political “hot potato”!
First and foremost, why is this such a hot spot?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Strait of Hormuz is the second-largest transporter of crude oil and petroleum liquids in the world.
The Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It accommodates the world’s largest oil tankers and serves as a critical global oil chokepoint with few alternative routes if closed.
The conflict centers on worldwide oil distribution, with Iran believing it can control the chokepoint. Can it???
We will address that question in Strait of Hormuz Part II…until then
OHB…spanning the globe…to bring you the variety of life!