Iran's Strait of Hormuz: a Strategic Asset Outshining Nukes

WHO:

NY Post - Ebrahim Azizi, a member of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, stated on social media, "Recognize the new Iranian order in the Strait of Hormuz: this is the only way forward."

Bloomberg Markets - Will Todman, chief of staff of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and senior fellow of the Middle East Program at CSIS

Bloomberg Markets - Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

NY Post - Ebrahim Azizi, member of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee

WHAT:

Bloomberg Markets - Goldman Sachs Group Inc. indicated that a recovery in Middle Eastern oil supplies could be delayed if renewed tensions disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bloomberg Markets - Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a near standstill after the US struck Iran for a second consecutive day.

NY Post - Tehran has vowed to attack two targets for every one target America hits.

Bloomberg Markets - India is considering options including holding talks with Iran to secure safe passage for at least nine laden tankers waiting in the Persian Gulf.

Bloomberg Markets - Will Todman stated that a low-level conflict with outbursts from both the US and Iran is more likely than an 'all-out' war.

Bloomberg Markets - Iran is prioritizing control over the Strait of Hormuz, referring to it as a "new nuclear weapon."

Bloomberg Markets - Shipowners are reassessing their willingness to transit the Strait of Hormuz following President Trump's announcement that the US ceasefire with Iran is “over.”

WHERE:

Bloomberg Markets - Strait of Hormuz

WHY:

Bloomberg Markets - Will Todman noted that Iran is willing to go to "extreme lengths" to ensure it exercises some control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Bloomberg Markets - Todman noted that the economic costs to both the US and Iran are too great for 'all-out war.'

Bloomberg Markets - Iran is willing to go to "extreme lengths" to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

NY Post - Ebrahim Azizi stated that recognizing the new Iranian order in the Strait of Hormuz is the only way forward for the US.

HOW:

Bloomberg Markets - Shipowners are reassessing their willingness to transit the Strait of Hormuz following President Trump's announcement that the US ceasefire with Iran is “over.”

Bloomberg Markets - Attacks in the waterway threaten an already fragile interim ceasefire.

Bloomberg Markets - Iran is 'very keen' to keep control over the Strait of Hormuz as an economic and strategic negotiating tool.

Bloomberg Markets - The US-Iran deal is crumbling, impacting shipowners' decisions regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 08:07 UTC)

Ebrahim Azizi, a member of Iran's parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, has called for recognition of what he describes as the new Iranian order in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that this is the only way forward. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has warned that a recovery in Middle Eastern oil supplies could face delays if renewed tensions disrupt shipping in the strategically vital Strait. Analyst Will Todman emphasized that Iran is prepared to go to extreme lengths to maintain its influence over this critical waterway.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 04:17 UTC)

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a near standstill after the US struck Iran for a second consecutive day. Shipowners are now reassessing their willingness to transit the strait following Trump's announcement that the US ceasefire with Iran is “over.” This escalation in tensions is prompting significant concerns in global shipping routes.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 00:20 UTC)

Tehran has announced that it will retaliate by attacking two targets for every one that America strikes. In the meantime, India is exploring options, including potential discussions with Iran, to ensure safe passage for at least nine tankers currently waiting in the Persian Gulf. These developments come as attacks in the waterway jeopardize an already delicate interim ceasefire.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 22:23 UTC)

Will Todman, chief of staff of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at CSIS, has indicated that a low-level conflict with sporadic outbursts from both the US and Iran is more likely than an all-out war. He emphasized that the economic costs for both nations are simply too high to justify a full-scale conflict. Additionally, Todman pointed out that Iran is very keen to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, viewing it as a crucial economic and strategic bargaining chip.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 20:25 UTC)

Iran is emphasizing its control over the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "new nuclear weapon," as tensions rise following President Trump's declaration that the US ceasefire with Iran is “over.” Shipowners are now reconsidering their willingness to navigate this crucial waterway, with Iranian parliament member Ebrahim Azizi asserting that acknowledging the new Iranian order is the only viable path for the US. As the US-Iran deal deteriorates, Iran is prepared to take "extreme lengths" to secure its dominance in the region.