Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz

Author(s): Caitlin Talmadge

Source: International Security, Vol. 33, No. 1 (Summer, 2008), pp. 82-117
Published by: The MIT Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40207102
Accessed: 24-07-2015 18:32 UTC

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Closing Time | 127

In Caitlin Talmadges analysis regarding the threat of closing the

Strait of Hormuz in her article Closing Time Assessing the Iranian
Threat to the Strait of Hormuz, Talmadge offers a worthy view of the
implications Iran and the international community would face if the
closing of the Strait of Hormuz were to ever come to fruition. One of
the strongest elements that Talmadge presents in her paper is the
scenario involving minefields to deny transit, the anti-ship missile
capability, and the Iranian Navy presence within the Strait. In her
discussion, Talmadge does not hold back in identifying a full range of
possible actions and operations that Iran may impose given the scenario
at hand. Rather than developing a scenario for the audience in guiding
them to think what will or wont eventually happen, she aids the reader
in thinking outside the box. It is this outside the box thinking that
guides a reader to conduct a more sound analysis because they are
critically thinking about all possible scenarios, which will allow a
reader to adjust their strategy if a new Iranian capability arises.
In regards to a subject that Talmadge could have touched upon
more was a greater emphasis on the losses Iran would suffer if it closed
the Strait of Hormuz. In particular the amount of backlash Iran would
receive from the international community if it closed the Strait of
Hormuz, given the amount of investment that other countries have who
rely on the Strait of Hormuz remaining open.
After a thorough analysis of the given argument that any attempt
by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz would be detrimental to Iran, I

Conclusions

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firmly believe Talmadge did an excellent job highlighting the economic

disruption the closing of the sea lanes would cause, the military losses
Iran would potentially suffer, and the international communitys
provoking perception of Iran. Talmadge brings to light the significance
the Strait of Hormuz has, and why the closing of the Strait is an issue
that should not be overlooked.
References:
Talmadge, Caitlin. Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the
Strait of Hormuz. Harvard University. December 2008, 24 July 2014.
<http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/IS3301_pp082wwww117_Talmadge.pdf>

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