Iran’s Secret Weapon: Moles in the Hormuz
Picture this: Iran is quietly loading naval sea mines onto its ships right in the Persian Gulf, slickly sandwiched between Tehran’s Parliament and the big old Strait of Hormuz. If this ever goes live, it’s a recipe for a worldwide oil price blowout—good news for Vladimir Putin, who loves a fat calculator.
Why the Strait Matters
- It’s the Oil Superhighway: About 20‑30% of global oil and gas traffic slips through this narrow channel.
- One‑Gulf Out of Bounds: Even a small disruption can ripple across the globe, turning regular oil prices into a frenzy.
Experts Get Ready to Drop the Mic
Yesterday’s brave Israeli pre‑emptive strike on Iran—sent in headlines on June 13—triggered a flurry of warnings:
Sky‑High Economic Shock (or the ‘20‑30% Storm’)
Phil Ingram, a former British military int‑spy, floated a headline on Sky News that if Iran plugs the Straits of Hormuz, “the economic shock would make the Russia‑Ukraine war look like child’s play.”
Oil Prices with a New Spin
John Gawthrop from Argus Eurasia Energy noted that any blockaged or mined passage would kick up global crude prices. That, in turn, would line Russian barrels with a little extra cash‑money.
Revolutionary Guard’s Cheerleader
Plot twist: Esmail Kosari, a Guards commander and parliamentarian, admitted the closure is “on the agenda and will be done whenever necessary.” Talk about readiness.
Retired Navy’s Fear‑monger
Captain D.K. Sharma, a retired Indian Navy spokesperson, warned that Iran’s threat to block the Straits could make insurance costs shoot up and shipping routes go all maze‑like. “Oil prices could pop up to $80‑$100 a barrel,” he quipped—moving investors to gold and silver like a rabbit fleeing a fox.
Why Dylan In‑Space Matters
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that in 2024, and the first quarter of 2025, a quarter of the global seaborne oil trade—plus about a fifth of compressed natural gas—traversed the Hormuz. Failure to keep that flow smooth means the whole planet has to pay extra.
Bottom Line: Kinda Like a Wall Street Crash but for Oil
- Disruption = price surge
- Price surge = Russian extra income
- Russian extra income = Putin celebrates
So, strap in. If Iran decides to tighten the screws on the Strait of Hormuz, the world will feel the shockwave that could rival even the biggest geopolitical headline. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin could be sipping tea while counting the extra digits rolling into his pocket.
