Control over Hormuz amounts to a strategic victory, allowing Tehran to shape not only regional trade but also the broader balance of economic power in the Middle East.By Mardo Soghom, Middle East ForumAs the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz continues and Iran faces an ultimatum from President Donald Trump, Tasnim—an outlet close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—has claimed that Tehran now holds an economic chokehold over its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf.Citing a Reuters report, Tasnim argues that recent disruptions in the Persian Gulf have shifted a significant portion of regional economic leverage toward Iran.It claims that as much as $250 billion in annual energy revenues that once flowed to Arab states is now exposed to Iranian control or influence.According to the report, Iran’s actions in and around the Strait of Hormuz—particularly its ability to restrict or reshape maritime traffic—have reduced oil exports and revenues for Gulf Arab countries while enabling Tehran to increase its own share of energy income and strategic influence over shipping.Tasnim frames this as a form of “economic warfare,” in which Iran is not merely resisting pressure but actively redistributing regional wealth in its favor.Tasnim presents this shift as evidence that Iran has gained the upper hand in the energy domain, arguing that Gulf Arab economies dependent on uninterrupted exports are now incurring losses, while Iran benefits from higher prices and greater leverage over flows.Other pro-Islamic Republic media have published similar narratives, emphasizing rising Iranian revenues during the crisis.This portrayal, however, overlooks the broader economic reality.Over the past four decades, Arab Gulf states have transformed themselves into not only major energy producers but also global trade and financial hubs—most notably, the United Arab Emirates.Together, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar control sovereign wealth funds approaching $4 trillion.Iran, by contrast, faces structural constraints: Its currency has collapsed, average monthly wages remain around $100–$200, and sanctions have left its energy sector underdeveloped and unable to expand or modernize.Tasnim nonetheless argues that Iran can effectively impose a “toll” on Gulf Arab economies by threatening shipping through Hormuz.“In total, roughly $250 billion in annual revenue is exposed to disruption—income that, by virtue of geopolitical realities, effectively falls under Iran’s influence,” the article states.In this framing, control over Hormuz amounts to a strategic victory, allowing Tehran to shape not only regional trade but also the broader balance of economic power in the Middle East.The report also dismisses alternative export routes, arguing that any effort by Arab states to bypass the Strait—particularly through pipelines—would remain vulnerable to attacks by Iran-aligned forces such as the Houthis in Yemen.Yet several alternatives are under discussion. The most ambitious is a canal linking the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman through the United Arab Emirates and Oman.While relatively short, it would cross difficult terrain and require years of costly construction, making it a long-term concept rather than a practical near-term solution.A more feasible option is expanding Saudi Arabia’s pipeline network, which already transports oil to the Red Sea.Riyadh has also explored extending pipelines north to the Mediterranean—either to Israel’s Haifa or via Syria—but these routes face significant political and security challenges.A third concept envisions a land corridor through Iraq and Turkey to Europe, combining pipelines and transport infrastructure.While potentially important over time, it remains constrained by instability and the need for sustained regional coordination.Ultimately, none of these options can replace Hormuz in the near term. They may reduce dependence at the margins, but the global energy system remains tied to the Strait.For that reason, a simple ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is unlikely without a fundamental shift on the Iranian side—specifically, a political and military retreat that restores full freedom of navigation.In return, Tehran would almost certainly demand the lifting of sanctions, while offering limited concessions on nuclear and other strategic issues.The post Iran believes it can leverage Hormuz to shape a ceasefire – opinion appeared first on World Israel News.