Hormuz Leverage Deepens as Iran Expands Maritime Reach

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released a map that widens its claimed maritime control toward the UAE, signaling greater leverage in the US-Israel confrontation. The move comes as the US has launched a “Project Freedom” plan to escort vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and after drone and missile strikes on the UAE’s Fujairah energy hub. Analysts say Iran can pressure global markets by disrupting traffic in Hormuz, even without a full closure, raising oil/LNG prices and complicating international security and diplomacy amid a fragile ceasefire.