Strait of Hormuz Pivot: Iran’s Deterrence Drive Amid Blockade and Proxy Strikes
ISW-CTP’s Iran Update for May 8, 2026 frames the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s core deterrent amid a US-led naval blockade, with Tehran signaling continued sovereignty and leveraging strait control to influence oil prices and concessions. Iran has escalated rhetoric and actions against the UAE, while a Russian-proliferation angle involving drones adds risk via proxies. US and Israeli air campaigns target Iran’s nuclear ecosystem, and Hezbollah has carried out retaliatory strikes prompting Israeli responses; internally, there are no notable shifts in Iran’s dynamics. Overall, tensions remain high with the potential for broader escalation.