نقاش الساعة - مصير هرمز.. هل تتراجع إيران عن السيطرة الكاملة على المضيق؟ — Wednesday 20 May 2026A panel of regional and international experts convened to assess whether Iran might ease its firm hold over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies. The discussion featured Dr. Hassan Ahmadian of Tehran University, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary Joey Hood, Kuwaiti analyst Dr. Saleh Al-Mutairi, and Al Jazeera researcher Dr. Liqa Maki, who examined Tehran’s strategic calculations amid renewed sanctions pressure and maritime incidents in the Gulf. Analysts noted that Iran continues to treat control of the strait as a core deterrent against external threats, particularly from the United States and its Gulf partners. While some voices suggested economic hardship could encourage limited Iranian flexibility on shipping rules, others argued that any visible retreat would weaken Tehran’s leverage in nuclear talks and regional security negotiations. The exchange underscored how local decisions in the Gulf directly affect energy prices and supply stability for importers across Asia and Europe. For global audiences, the debate illustrated the enduring risks to maritime trade routes that connect the Middle East to major markets in China, India, and Japan. Even modest disruptions remain capable of driving up costs worldwide, reminding policymakers that the strait’s future management will continue to shape both energy security and diplomatic maneuvering in the months ahead.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.