The Strait of Hormuz as a Strategic Leverage Tool: Iran’s Strategic Maneuvers in Light of the 2026 Crisis

Abstract

The Strait of Hormuz is not only a maritime chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, but also a key strategic lever for energy security in the 21^st century. During the Iranian–American–Israeli crisis that unfolded in 2026, threatening and disrupting trade traffic through the strait, played a prominent role in Iran’s coercive diplomacy. This study examines how a regional middle power—relying on limited, largely asymmetric naval capabilities—can use the Strait of Hormuz as its own strategic coercive tool. It is highlighted that a de facto blockade of the Strait—that is, an undeclared “insurance blockade” based on risk escalation—is a key tool of grey-zone warfare. It is also demonstrated that the manipulation of critical infrastructure affects not only fossil fuel supplies but also global supply chains and risk perception, resulting in broader security policy and societal risks.The study analyses three possible scenarios: escalation, de-escalation, and structural transformation, and concludes that the Strait is a key strategic arena in global geopolitics where significant influence can be exerted on world politics even through asymmetric means.