Is the Strait of Hormuz Now More Powerful Than a Traditional Nuclear Weapons?

[fruktik]

Yes, Iran will be able to dictate its terms to the entire world for a while, but this process clearly won't last long. Given time, workarounds will be found. Some countries are already considering new options, and they're doing the right thing. While some are trying to improve relations with Iran's leadership and bowing to it in every way, others are building a new world where such disgraceful behavior will no longer exist.

Iran itself didn't realize it had such power over states. It realized this by accident and is taking full advantage of the opportune moment. Therefore, we must understand that very soon all this will end, and the power of this advantage will fade.

[passwordnow]

Blocking strait of hormuz only effective if the external power aren't blocking it as well on the outer layer. Right now US is seizing several tankers and planning to sell the oils seized to the world.
When things like this happen, blocking the strait means they are crippling their own economy so its not exactly a deterrence because its also wounding themselves in the process.
On the other hand, what if the gulf states are investing into an oil pipe that could bring the oil right into south coast of Oman bypassing the strait?

Having an oil pipe is possibly about to be done in the nearest future when this has happened. Saudi has already that pipeline and they have invested in it because they've seen this happening long time ago. blocking the Strait costed so much money not just to the gulf but for the entire world. It will also retaliate to Iran and make them look like the bad guy despite that they've been attacked first by US' missiles. As the news lately came, it's said that they're about to get a mend and deal with the US so let's see how quick it will be for both.

[DrBeer]

Logically speaking, it seems like control of the Strait of Hormuz is becoming a form of power that rivals even nuclear deterrence.

Here is my objective reason:

Because in just a short time, tensions around that route have already shown how much impact it can have on the global economy. When oil flow is threatened, everything reacts, fuel prices, transportation, food cost  and even inflation across many countries.

The key points to look at is that, Iran may not need to rely only on nuclear capability to have influence. Just by controlling such a critical global chokepoint, Iran already has strong leverage that the world cannot easily ignore or counter.

So that now gives us the big question, which is:

Can Iran reduce or even give up its nuclear ambitions and instead rely on control of the Strait as its main form of deterrence?

Because from what we have seen recently, this strategy alone can:

1. Disrupt global trade

2. Pressure powerful nations
 
3. Influence economic stability worldwide

The reality on the ground is that unlike traditional nuclear weapons, this kind of power is already active and visible. It doesn’t need testing or threats, the impact is immediate. And the most interesting part is that no country can easily bypass or ignore that route without consequences.

So, this could be a shift in global politics from military deterrence to economic choke point control. What we are seeing might be a new form of power in the modern world.

It looks threatening, but... Let’s take a closer look, including some historical examples.

Iran is currently trying to use this natural waterway as a bargaining chip, since a significant volume of oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through it.
But let’s examine this in more detail. Here are some figures:

Approximately
20–22 million barrels per day (mb/d)
pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
This represents:
~20–25% of global oil production ~30% of global maritime oil trade
Who consumes this oil?
The main flow goes... to Asia.
Distribution (approximately)
China: ~30–35%
India: ~15–20%
Japan: ~10–15%
South Korea: ~10–12%
Europe: ~10–15%

Now we see who will suffer the most if Iran... and the U.S. block the Strait of Hormuz? China and India!
Who will win? ...and the U.S. as well!
The U.S. is already one of the largest alternative suppliers to Asia!
Who will lose? Iran (no route for oil shipments), China, and India-they will be forced to seek alternatives.
The Gulf states are actively beginning to expand, restore, and design new alternative land routes for oil shipments. In the long run, this means that by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, it will be possible to:
- cause no harm to any of these countries
- completely halt oil shipments from Iran.


And yes, a historical example!
In 2022, continuing its terrorist war against Ukraine, Russia launched a full-scale invasion and, as a result, deservedly faced sanctions. And Russia decided to act much like Iran (terrorists’ tactics are always similar)-announcing that it would halt gas supplies to the EU, whose gas market was effectively monopolized by Russia (Schröder, Merkel-“thanks” for “selling out” the EU). Russia held the gas valve (like the Strait of Hormuz); it even produced a slew of propaganda videos depicting “freezing Europeans forced to eat their pets.” Plus, they even pompously declared that from now on, oil and gas would be sold only for rubles
What actually happened:
- The EU found ways to REPLACE Russian gas with supplies from other countries.
- It took some time to do this.
- Russia has permanently lost a HUGE gas consumer, lost a stable gas consumer, lost a wealthy gas consumer. And now it is forced to become a raw materials appendage of China, selling it gas for pennies that turned out to be unwanted by anyone.
 
  

[aioc]

The reality on the ground is that unlike traditional nuclear weapons, this kind of power is already active and visible. It doesn’t need testing or threats, the impact is immediate. And the most interesting part is that no country can easily bypass or ignore that route without consequences.

So, this could be a shift in global politics from military deterrence to economic choke point control. What we are seeing might be a new form of power in the modern world.

What makes this war so different and significant is that it affects the supply routes of many countries' economies. If the war had happened somewhere else, we would have just treated it as an ordinary war. It's powerful because we are thousands of miles away from where it's happening, yet we are suffering, and inflation is rising; we are in a crisis brought about by a war that is happening thousands of miles away.
It's worse than the pandemic, and all our eyes are on what's happening in that region.

[tygeade]

To be able to say something like this, you needed to know absolutely nothing about Nukes. We are talking about something that could destroy the whole world, not just the place that you are bombing, but I mean the whole world. Radiation is spread from any Nuke that you fire, and if enough of it fired at the same time, we are talking about a complete situation where it's all gone.

This is why earth would be destroyed to all of us, there would be not a single human living, because radiation will be everywhere and we would all die. This is why we should not be considering how this could change things, we should be realizing that Nukes are the end of all humanity if it comes to that, and we should all desire to have zero nukes anywhere in the world.

[crwth]

In reality, Iran doesn't control the strait, but it's just really close, so they can cause problems for the logistics that go through it. I don't think they would be able to completely shut the Strait, but they could cause significant damage in the short term. There could be a naval war if it continues IMO.

This is why earth would be destroyed to all of us, there would be not a single human living, because radiation will be everywhere and we would all die. This is why we should not be considering how this could change things, we should be realizing that Nukes are the end of all humanity if it comes to that, and we should all desire to have zero nukes anywhere in the world.

There's a reason why there's a peace treaty to not use any nukes, but to be in competition with someone who has is what makes it even harder to communicate and negotiate, because you can be backed against a wall and just continue to follow their orders.

[SatsPH]

The reality on the ground is that unlike traditional nuclear weapons, this kind of power is already active and visible. It doesn’t need testing or threats, the impact is immediate. And the most interesting part is that no country can easily bypass or ignore that route without consequences.

So, this could be a shift in global politics from military deterrence to economic choke point control. What we are seeing might be a new form of power in the modern world.

What makes this war so different and significant is that it affects the supply routes of many countries' economies. If the war had happened somewhere else, we would have just treated it as an ordinary war. It's powerful because we are thousands of miles away from where it's happening, yet we are suffering, and inflation is rising; we are in a crisis brought about by a war that is happening thousands of miles away.
It's worse than the pandemic, and all our eyes are on what's happening in that region.

I wouldn't say that it's worst than the pandemic, because during that time, everything is shutdown, already you can argue that there is gas and now this war causes every country to raise the price or even their supply dwindling, I don't think that they are comparable of the magnitude or the effect of it. For me pandemic is still worst than this war.

This could be the first time that we have seen using a passage a choke point. But military knows now and specially the US that the next time that there will be a proxy war, then they can anticipate this kind of moves on whoever control a passage point.

[Muba20]

If a country uses nuclear weapons, that country will be destroyed, but if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, almost all countries in the world will be affected. All countries around the world will be at risk due to lack of fuel oil. Iran has retaliated due to the attack on Iran. But they could not prevent it. As soon as the Strait of Hormuz was closed, the minds of world leaders began to shift. World leaders have now been able to understand how important this Strait is.

If nuclear weapons are used, destruction is certain and it is much more difficult to use, but the Strait of Hormuz can be closed at any time and according to their convenience, if the agreement is right, they can reopen it. Therefore, it is no less than nuclear weapons. Just one threat will create global instability. Since there is no alternative route, the Strait of Hormuz has to be relied on. This is a new destructive weapon for Iran.

[DrBeer]

If a country uses nuclear weapons, that country will be destroyed, but if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, almost all countries in the world will be affected. All countries around the world will be at risk due to lack of fuel oil. Iran has retaliated due to the attack on Iran. But they could not prevent it. As soon as the Strait of Hormuz was closed, the minds of world leaders began to shift. World leaders have now been able to understand how important this Strait is.

If nuclear weapons are used, destruction is certain and it is much more difficult to use, but the Strait of Hormuz can be closed at any time and according to their convenience, if the agreement is right, they can reopen it. Therefore, it is no less than nuclear weapons. Just one threat will create global instability. Since there is no alternative route, the Strait of Hormuz has to be relied on. This is a new destructive weapon for Iran.

No, the whole world isn’t held hostage by the Iranian junta blocking the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but… almost all of that oil is consumed by Southeast Asia, and most of it… CHINA! Not the EU, not the US, but China! And that’s why Iran decided to play the double standards game-some aren’t allowed to pass, while others (China) are. This raises the question: why can’t the US do the same? What’s stopping them from doing it?

P.S. Threatening with nuclear weapons is an absolutely idiotic decision typical of complete idiots or terrorists.

[robelneo]

Iran itself didn't realize it had such power over states. It realized this by accident and is taking full advantage of the opportune moment. Therefore, we must understand that very soon all this will end, and the power of this advantage will fade.

They cannot control the Strait forever; they will be treated as villains, and countries will find a way to get out of being hostages.
There's a possibility that the many countries depending on that strait will turn against Iran because the state of its economy is in the hands of Iran, the US will have a reason to obliterate them if they persists to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Right now, the Strait is open because of the Israel - Lebanon ceasefire, but anything can happen, and also there's big news on Monday because of the US's plan to blockade the Strait. Let's see how it goes

[Ab de villiers]

It’s a fact and a clear and visible truth that the Straits of Hormuz has more economic impact than the nuclear threat, and one truth you pointed out is that US underestimated Iran so much that are surprised by the power they now possess after discovering that they rule the movement of goods in the economy.

But however, they have their own sovereignty which means that US had no right to decide what area or business Iran has to go with but however, it’s now obvious they nuclear weapon is not the power they needed, they needed to know their worth.

It is a thing that even U.S may not imagine before imposing the war on Iran. U.S used to give  threat to  Iran to avoid use or produce nuclear bombs. U.S believe that he can easily conquer this war but it's assumptions are not wise. Although Iran has not weapon equivalent to the U.S but this strait of Hormuz become more powerful tool than any nuclear bomb. This Strait of Hormuz is the route of oil for all the world. Iran can create global economic problem by blocking this route.
It is big reality that it is a thing that force U.S to come on table talk otherwise it is not easy to give tough time to the U.S or force them to bow or accept their defeat. U.S still not accept this reality in front of the whole world but everyone realised that it's a great achievement and best strategic strength  of Iran . It seems that it is a way of artery of Iran. If this U.S decided to continuous war with Iran than rest of the countries would pressurize the US for stopping the war because they face loss due to shortage supply of oil. This is the best ever strategy of Iran, now it is possible that Iran in future could  use this as a threat tool for its security rather than rely solely on weapon.

[fruktik]

They cannot control the Strait forever; they will be treated as villains, and countries will find a way to get out of being hostages.
There's a possibility that the many countries depending on that strait will turn against Iran because the state of its economy is in the hands of Iran, the US will have a reason to obliterate them if they persists to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Right now, the Strait is open because of the Israel - Lebanon ceasefire, but anything can happen, and also there's big news on Monday because of the US's plan to blockade the Strait. Let's see how it goes

Humanity has always had the ability to adapt to current circumstances. Therefore, resolving this issue will now be a top priority for many countries. Sooner or later, a solution will be found. Iran will have nothing to do with it. This all happened completely by chance, and no one could have imagined that this small state could exert such influence on the entire world. No developed country will allow itself to be dictated to by a country that lives by medieval notions and doesn't understand the structure of the modern world.

[jaberwock]

Hormuz is once again closed. It was open for like a day, even less than a day, and now it's closed once more. There were a ton of ships that were waiting for their turn and now they can't pass once more, only a few ships passed and not enough at all to make sure that the oil price would go down for good.

In the end, as long as this war goes on, we are going to see this strait close and open up a few more times and it is not going to be good for long. They literally killed their president, however horrible that dude was, what do you expect his regime to do? Just say thank you and move on?

[SPIDERMAN008]

Controlling Hormuz means controlling the entire world's economy. Without oil, the entire world is still stagnant. Developed countries have a lot of reserves, so they will not have any problems even if Hormuz is closed for a few months . Although I saw news a few days ago that prices have increased in the USA.

But there are some countries that do not have much oil reserves, which will create a big problem. This means that at least it is understood that if someone can control the oil of the Middle East, they can control the economies of many countries in the world. That is why America has always wanted to dominate the Middle East.

[DrBeer]

Controlling Hormuz means controlling the entire world's economy. Without oil, the entire world is still stagnant. Developed countries have a lot of reserves, so they will not have any problems even if Hormuz is closed for a few months . Although I saw news a few days ago that prices have increased in the USA.

But there are some countries that do not have much oil reserves, which will create a big problem. This means that at least it is understood that if someone can control the oil of the Middle East, they can control the economies of many countries in the world. That is why America has always wanted to dominate the Middle East.

It appears this situation won’t last long. The Gulf states are already actively developing alternative oil supply routes that bypass the “toxic region.”
They are acting wisely by minimizing future risks, given the presence of such an “unpredictable” and unreasonable neighbor... Bottom line: there is a problem, but it is temporary and solvable.