Iran Expands Fronts: Strait of Hormuz Ambitions and Regional Power Plays

ISW-CTP’s Iran Update portrays Tehran pursuing proactive moves beyond tit-for-tat strikes, including efforts to secure recognition and control of the Strait of Hormuz (with reports of an Iran-Oman deal likely to toll traffic), while backing clandestine activity in Syria to deter border security and smuggling efforts tied to Hezbollah. The report outlines MLCOA and MDCOA as possible Iranian courses in Syria, notes intensified Syrian border deployments, and highlights Houthi attacks in Yemen and growing Arab-state coordination against Iran. Iraqi militias threaten retaliatory action against Saudi strikes, and Saudi Arabia has formed a multinational maritime coalition to defend Red Sea shipping as regional alignments tighten.