Gulf worries over Iran’s Hormuz grip in US talks

Gulf officials warn that US-Iran diplomacy may be prioritizing global economic stability over dismantling Iran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil shipping route. Iran's threats to Gulf shipping have broken long-standing taboos, making disruption a realistic lever in negotiations. The Strait's central role is acknowledged by Iranian security officials, who describe it as a long-prepared instrument of deterrence.