WANA (Apr 06) – Fifty years after the Suez Crisis marked the decline of two European empires, the world is now witnessing the emergence of a new order in the Persian Gulf—one in which Tehran, by leveraging the “power of the strait,” has become a dominant player in global energy dynamics.

 

According to international reports, as direct confrontations between Iran and the U.S.–Israel axis enter a critical phase, the Strait of Hormuz has turned into the central axis of this conflict. It is no longer just a maritime passage, but a decisive geopolitical lever reshaping the global balance of power.

 

Suez 1956: A Model Iran Has Now Perfected

The 1956 Suez Crisis demonstrated how a nation could dismantle decades of established power structures by relying on nationalism and control over a vital waterway. Egypt, under Gamal Abdel Nasser, effectively ended British and French dominance in the region by nationalizing the canal, signaling to Washington that the “age of colonialism” was over.

 

Today, analysts argue that Iran has taken that model to a more advanced level. If Suez changed the “ownership” of a waterway, Hormuz is redefining the “rules of passage” at the world’s most critical energy chokepoint.

 

Five weeks into U.S. and Israeli strikes, the Strait of Hormuz has become the strategic center of gravity in the conflict. Contrary to Western media narratives, field developments suggest that Tehran has not been weakened; rather, it has seized the initiative by transforming the strait into a global pressure tool.

The Numbers That Have Shaken the World

Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler paints an unprecedented picture of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to these figures, maritime traffic has dropped by up to 95%.

 

Since March 1, only 221 vessels have passed through the strait—mostly with Iranian approval and coordination.

 

A key detail makes this even more significant: 60% of these ships were either Iranian-owned or heading to Iran.

 

These figures indicate that while Iran is simultaneously facing war and sanctions, it has managed to maintain its economic flows. In contrast, Western economies and their regional allies are grappling with fuel shortages and unprecedented inflationary pressures.

 

Within this context, some Western analysts acknowledge that U.S. military actions have effectively handed Iran a “weapon of mass disruption”—a tool capable of steering global energy markets, with an impact some compare to strategic weapons.

 

Day 33 of the War: Who Has the Upper Hand and Why the Conflict Continues?

WANA (Apr 01) – On the thirty-third day of the war, what stands out is not merely its continuation, but its transformation. What was expected to be a short, decisive, high-impact conflict has now evolved into a prolonged, multi-layered confrontation with no clear path to a quick resolution.   Field indicators point to intensified attacks, […]

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Why No Naval Fleet Can Break the Hormuz Lock

While Western officials initially promised a swift reopening of the strait, their tone has since shifted significantly.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron stated bluntly: “Opening the strait by military means is unrealistic.”

 

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also emphasized that the only viable options are “diplomatic pressure and sanctions,” not military escalation.

 

Military experts highlight several key factors behind this reality:

 

Cheap drones, expensive deterrence:

According to analysts, stopping tanker traffic may require only “one or two drones.” Iran, possessing thousands of such systems, can target vessels from deep within its territory or from nearby islands.

 

Decisive geography:

With a width of just 33 kilometers and shipping lanes as narrow as 3 kilometers, vessels in the strait are highly vulnerable targets.

 

Qeshm Island: An impregnable stronghold:

The largest island in the Persian Gulf, with its complex terrain and natural formations, has become a secure base for fast boats and anti-ship missile systems.

Members of the Iranian Army take part in an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this picture obtained on December 30, 2022. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

An Admission from Within the U.S. Security Establishment

William Burns, former CIA Director, warned: “Even if the United States captures Iran’s southern coastline, Tehran can still lock down the strait from 100 kilometers inland. All it takes is a single missile or one naval mine.”

 

These remarks clearly highlight the limitations of conventional military power against a combination of geography and asymmetric warfare.

 

Hormuz: The Beginning of a New Order?

Recent developments once again underscore a key reality: in the 21st century, power is not defined solely by advanced weaponry. Control over critical energy chokepoints can be even more decisive.

 

If the Suez Crisis symbolized the fall of classical empires, the Hormuz crisis may represent a serious challenge to major global powers by regional actors.

 

Many analysts now believe the world must prepare for a new reality: the Strait of Hormuz is no longer just a transit route—it has evolved into a strategic lever capable of reshaping global power dynamics for years to come.