Despite decapitation, Iran’s regime endures: Does Hormuz blockade give Tehran the upper hand?

Paul Taylor, a senior visiting fellow and Guardian columnist, argues that Iran's regime remains resilient despite recent losses, and that a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could shift strategic advantage toward Tehran. Taylor contends that conventional military superiority cannot neutralize asymmetric threats like drones and decentralized command structures that Iran has developed. He suggests that reopening the critical waterway—through which roughly one-third of global sea-traded oil passes—depends not on military or technical solutions but on political and diplomatic negotiations. The analysis underscores the limits of force projection in the Persian Gulf, where Iran's nonstate proxies and dispersed operational networks create persistent vulnerabilities for Western-aligned powers. The piece reflects ongoing tensions over maritime security and Iran's capacity to disrupt global energy flows despite international pressure.