The Iranian government is the problem
For most of 2026, the world’s most important oil chokepoint has been a battlefield rather than a shipping lane. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has spent months asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz.…
Assessment
The piece argues that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a rogue IRGC action but a deliberate strategy by Iran's theocratic leadership to maintain power. The central claim is that the government itself, not just its military arm, is the root obstacle to reopening the waterway. Readers should watch for whether international responses target the IRGC specifically or the broader political structure, as that distinction will define the conflict's trajectory.