An analyst of international affairs argues that the deterrent power of the Strait of Hormuz outweighs even the leverage of a nuclear weapons capability. The strait funnels a large share of the world's oil shipments, so any threat to close it sends tremors through global energy markets. In this view, that geographic chokepoint gives Iran a form of deterrence stronger than nuclearization would. The comments land amid an ongoing debate over Tehran's nuclear file and regional posture.