NewsweekMore Powerful Weapon Than a Nuclear Bomb, weaponise Hormuz
Iran and Oman have reported progress on an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through designated routes and service fees, with any deal tied to lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Qatar has circulated draft language for related U.S.-Iran talks, while Iran considers European involvement in mine clearance. The strait operated as an open international waterway prior to the February 28 U.S. and Israeli strikes.
The framework offers a diplomatic path to restore energy flows after U.S.-Israeli strikes closed an open waterway, with fees and environmental provisions addressing harms from sanctions and escalation.
“Multilateral negotiation and reduced military entanglement over unilateral pressure”
Conservative
The arrangement risks rewarding Iran with leverage over a key chokepoint and normalizing tolls tied to sanctions relief, potentially weakening prior maximum-pressure efforts.
“Sustained sanctions enforcement and prevention of Iranian strategic gains”
Libertarian
Reopening reduces barriers to voluntary trade created by state intervention and blockades, with user fees providing a decentralized alternative to indefinite naval deployments.
“Lowered state coercion and market-based access over foreign entanglements”
Devil's Advocate
All views accept the February 28 strikes as the sole originating event without examining preceding Iranian actions or whether partitioned control plus fees restores open access or creates a sanctioned toll regime.
“Verification challenges, independent incentives of Oman and Qatar, and absence of Chinese oil or mine-clearing mechanics”