Iran has learned that the Strait of Hormuz is its strongest deterrent

Al Jazeera
April 18, 2026
2 min read

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Iran views its strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz as its strongest deterrent, not nuclear weapons.

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Iran has learned that the Strait of Hormuz is its strongest deterrent, according to Donald Heflin, a senior fellow at Tufts University. Heflin states that Iran has demonstrated it does not need nuclear weapons to achieve deterrence. This perspective suggests Iran views its strategic control over the vital oil shipping lane as a more effective leverage point. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, through which a significant portion of the world's seaborne crude oil passes daily. This understanding influences Iran's geopolitical strategy and its approach to regional security.

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