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What’s at stake for Europe if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked?
msn ^ | June 14 2025 | Jeremy Fleming - Jones

Posted on 06/14/2025 1:03:46 PM PDT by Aquamarine

Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari told local media in an interview closing the Strait of Hormuz "is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination."

"Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response," added Kowsari, who is a member of parliament in addition to his military position.

Iran’s short- and medium-range missiles would be capable of targeting oil infrastructure platforms, pipelines in the Strait, or even attacking commercial vessels, and surface-to-surface missiles could target tankers or ports along the Gulf. Airstrikes using aircraft and drones could disable navigation or radar equipment at major shipping ports in the region.

Unmanned drones like Iran’s Shahed models could potentially be used to attack specific shipping lanes or infrastructure in the Strait. Iran could attempt to deploy warships to physically block access to the Strait. In 2012, Iran launched a cyberattack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, showing its growing capability in this domain.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically vital chokepoints in the world, and any blockade by Iran would pose serious risks for Europe.

Blocking the Strait was one of four Iranian responses to the conflict including terrorist acts on mainland Europe which security expert Claude Moniquet cited in an interview with Euronews.

It would be “a disaster for Europe”, the former French intelligence office said.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: europe; ohnoanyway; straitofhormuz; yurp; yurpeons
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1 posted on 06/14/2025 1:03:46 PM PDT by Aquamarine
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To: Aquamarine

>>>It would be “a disaster for Europe”<<<

That’s what I’ve been thinking ever since this began. It won’t be any fun here, either.Anybody remember 1979?


2 posted on 06/14/2025 1:07:15 PM PDT by CatHerd (Whoever said "all's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
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To: Aquamarine

If Iran closes the Straits, they will be cutting off their only source of income.

And most of their oil goes to China. So, not only will that piss of China, it will eliminate the source of just about all of the capital investment money coming into Iran.

If Iran shuts down the Straits it will be literal national suicide.


3 posted on 06/14/2025 1:07:28 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: Vermont Lt

And that’s aside from the several billion dollars’ worth of bombs that will be “donated” to them ...


4 posted on 06/14/2025 1:11:18 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Vermont Lt

If permanent, yes it would be a very serious blow to Iran’s economy. If “for the time being”, then it’s leverage. The paramount concern of the rulers is remaining in power.


5 posted on 06/14/2025 1:11:36 PM PDT by CatHerd (Whoever said "all's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
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To: Vermont Lt

No question that is what will happen, if Iran does block the Strait of Hormuz, their entire Navy would be destroyed in a matter of days, they have no air force, they have no credible ground force, all they have is a lot of missiles, whatever credibility their Navy has could not stand up to the US Navy.


6 posted on 06/14/2025 1:12:30 PM PDT by srmanuel
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To: Aquamarine

I think Iran would experience Operation Praying Mantis II at that point.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Praying_Mantis

Go ahead and try. That’ll be entertaining.


7 posted on 06/14/2025 1:13:27 PM PDT by Red6
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To: Aquamarine
"Revolutionary Guard commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari..."

Time for Israel to take out another one of these idiots.

8 posted on 06/14/2025 1:19:59 PM PDT by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: Aquamarine

It will most affect China.


9 posted on 06/14/2025 1:20:32 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: Vermont Lt

Iran uses the Houthis as a proxy. The Houthis are disposable. Iran will not shut off their lifeline, but the Houthis control the Red Sea lanes. It costs Iran nothing to do this, a couple of drones and missiles. This puts pressure on all of Europe. They won’t starve but it increases their costs. In return Europe will double the pressure on Israel to stop fighting. I think, at this point, Europe has zero leverage with Israel. If Israel can keep this up, likely the Iranian regime will collapse. The IRGC is not a force intended to fight a foreign enemy. They are over a million strong and are focused on maintaining internal order. But they do have a breaking point, and Iran has been close to the edge for a long, long time.


10 posted on 06/14/2025 1:25:57 PM PDT by Gen.Blather (I had a tagline and I dropped it. The cat back-pawed it under the Barcalounger. )
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To: Aquamarine

Don’t the MSM dumbasses know anything?

Iran will not close the Strait.

That brings the US in as a belligerent.


11 posted on 06/14/2025 1:26:45 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Vermont Lt

National suicide s what Islam is all about.


12 posted on 06/14/2025 1:27:11 PM PDT by DownInFlames (P)
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To: SpaceBar

The Iranian citizens may decide they want to send their mullahs to meet allah.


13 posted on 06/14/2025 1:27:38 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: SpaceBar

It will most affect China.
—————-
It appears the Strait of Hormuz has little to do with the US oil supply.Not our problem.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/277157/key-figures-for-the-strait-of-hormuz/

“ The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically important gateway that is situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, making it an important route for oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Asian markets are among the leading destinations for Hormuz oil flows.…”


14 posted on 06/14/2025 1:27:44 PM PDT by delta7
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To: Aquamarine

The EU would have two options:

1. Deploy soft power to stop Iranian anti-ship missiles. This would entail the intensive deployment of EU diplomats in emergency conferences in five star resort locations (for security) around the world. Though the EU diplomatic corps is already suffering from overextension and resort fatigue, this will be the preferred response.

2. If #1 fails, the EU will ask the U.S. Navy to reopen the Gulf and protect shipping.


15 posted on 06/14/2025 1:29:46 PM PDT by sphinx
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To: Aquamarine

Well if this comes to pass Trump’s economy will go straight in the crapper. Think it was bad under Biden will be much worse if they block the flow of oil out of the ME...


16 posted on 06/14/2025 1:30:00 PM PDT by dpetty121263
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To: delta7

**It will most affect China.**

Europe too. Why should we care? China steals our technology and Europe stabs us in the back.


17 posted on 06/14/2025 1:31:10 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: delta7

More:

https://www.eia.gov/international/content/analysis/special_topics/World_Oil_Transit_Chokepoints/wotc.pdf


18 posted on 06/14/2025 1:32:16 PM PDT by delta7
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To: delta7

Ummm, the Strait of Hormuz will not be blocked. It is one of the primary responsibilities of USCENTCOM. They’ll throw the kitchen sink at whomever attempts to close it.


19 posted on 06/14/2025 1:32:42 PM PDT by Justa (Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people....)
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To: dpetty121263

Well if this comes to pass Trump’s economy will go straight in the crapper.
—————-
No, but quite possibly strengthen our economy. We get virtually nothing through the Strait of Hormuz, but I am sure we can “ help out” buy increasing our production to those in need….for a premium of course.


20 posted on 06/14/2025 1:35:53 PM PDT by delta7
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