U.S. Intelligence: Iran Now Seen as Able to Shut the Strait of Hormuz at Will

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran can now block the Strait of Hormuz whenever it chooses, a development that would allow the ayatollah regime to inflict severe damage on the global economy, CNN reported Tuesday evening.

According to the report, American intelligence officials believe the possibility of a Hormuz closure is no longer theoretical, because Iran has already shown during the current war that it can do it in practice. The agencies also say Tehran has learned it can use targeted strikes against energy infrastructure in Gulf states as a new capability, giving it another tool it can exploit later.

A source familiar with the U.S. intelligence assessments said the war has significantly changed how Iran thinks about warfare tactics. The source added, "We effectively handed Iran control over the Strait of Hormuz." The official also described that leverage as "a weapon stronger than any nuclear weapon."