The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20% of global oil transit, is becoming a no-go zone for commercial shipping. Three threat vectors converge: Iranian IRGC-Navy harassment, mines, and cyber-attacks on navigation. The UK Royal Navy's deployment of HMS Duncan, a Type 45 destroyer, is a tactical move, not a strategic fix.
The underlying vulnerability is readiness: the UK's surface fleet is stretched thin, with only a fraction of vessels at sea. Meanwhile, Iran's asymmetric warfare capabilities, including drones and anti-ship missiles, create a layered threat. The real question: Is this a prelude to a wider conflict or a deterrence failure?
Strategic pivot needed.
