Can the Strait of Hormuz be opened by force? An Egyptian researcher answers

Exclusive Follow-ups – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Egyptian researcher Sameh Askar said that opening the Strait of Hormuz by military force is extremely difficult under the current geographical and military circumstances, pointing out that any attempt of this kind could lead to heavy losses for the forces that might try to carry it out.

Askar explained in an analytical post on the X platform that the experience in the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait demonstrates the sensitivity of strategic maritime passages, as the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen managed to close a strait with a relatively larger area compared to the Strait of Hormuz, despite possessing relatively limited weaponry.

He added that the Strait of Hormuz is characterized by being very narrow, with a width of only about 21 miles, while the width of the actually used shipping lane does not exceed two miles, making any hostile naval or land gathering in that narrow area an easy target.

The researcher pointed out that the presence of significant military capabilities in Iran increases the difficulty of any military operation to open the strait by force, considering that such a step could be “closer to military suicide” for the fleets or armies that might participate.

Askar concluded that opening the strait by force would not be possible—in his estimation—except in the event of a political change leading to the fall of the Iranian regime or through reaching a diplomatic agreement with the current leadership in Tehran to end tensions and find a political solution to the crisis.