Southern Routes Erode Hormuz Leverage as Iran Targets Shipping

Iran steps up attacks on commercial shipping to preserve leverage in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Oman push a southern corridor along Oman to move traffic away from Tehran. Gulf states are expanding pipelines and routes that bypass Hormuz, with about half of inbound traffic now using the southern path. Negotiations in Doha aim to set the strait's future administration and toll terms; Washington says there will be no tolls, while Tehran touts revisions as victories. If bypass routes continue to grow, Iran’s grip on Hormuz could weaken even as the strait remains a critical energy chokepoint.