A Bit of Politics: Will Iran Close the Strait of Hormuz?

By Dr. Othman Abu Zaid
Roger Boyes, the diplomatic editor of the British newspaper The Times, wrote yesterday (Sunday) that Iran would be the most at risk if it were to declare war on the world.
According to The Times writer, closing the Strait of Hormuz would amount to a declaration of war on the world.
There has been no precedent for closing the strait in any of the Gulf crises. The threat to close it remains merely a pressure card in Iran’s hands. The Iranian Shura Council’s recommendation in this regard is a form of escalation and manoeuvring, as its implementation depends on the approval of Iran’s National Security Council.
The reality is that Iran itself would be the first to suffer from such a decision since the majority of its exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. It is not in Iran’s interest to lose Arab, Gulf, and Islamic public opinion with such a move.
Iran may take certain measures, such as disrupting GPS signals or preventing specific tankers from passing. However, laying mines and completely closing the strait would be a dangerous step that could turn what began as a war between Israel and Iran into a war against the world.

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