Iran’s ability to control the Strait of Hormuz is a more powerful and effective deterrent than nuclear weapons, according to Colin Clarke, executive director of the Soufan Center. In an interview with Al Jazeera published on June 1, 2026, Clarke described the strait as Iran’s “trump card” in any potential conflict, noting that Tehran could disrupt global trade by closing the passage using mines and portable missiles.

Clarke said the U.S. National Security Agency is well aware of the potential consequences of such an action and likely maintains extensive documentation analyzing its direct, secondary, and tertiary impacts, as well as possible mitigation strategies. He emphasized that the strait gives Tehran a strategic advantage without the risks associated with deploying nuclear weapons.

According to Clarke, while the use of nuclear arms would escalate conflict into an entirely different realm, Iran could indefinitely sustain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, exerting long-term pressure on the global economy.