Twenty days into the escalating confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel, it has become increasingly clear that this is not merely a conventional military conflict. Beyond the battlefield, a parallel struggle is unfolding in global energy markets, where oil and gas are no longer just economic commodities, but strategic instruments of power, pressure and deterrence.In this evolving landscape, energy diplomacy has moved from negotiation tables into operational reality. Decisions surrounding production, transit routes and infrastructure security are now directly shaping the trajectory of the conflict and its wider geopolitical implications.

The Strait of Hormuz: A strategic lever in a time of crisis

Recent developments have once again underscored the centrality of the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Iran’s geographical position has enabled it to frame the Strait as a potential lever of influence within the broader confrontation.

Even without a full closure, heightened security risks, rerouting of tankers and rising insurance costs have demonstrated that the perception of disruption can be as impactful as disruption itself.

Even without a full closure, heightened security risks, rerouting of tankers and rising insurance costs have demonstrated that the perception of disruption can be as impactful as disruption itself.

This reflects a core principle of energy diplomacy in times of conflict: the strategic use of latent capabilities to influence the calculations of adversaries and global........

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