The Strait of Hormuz is now a growing focus of international concern. This maritime passage, through which a crucial part of the world’s oil passes, is at the center of rising tensions between Iran and Western powers, especially the United States. Incidents are increasing: ships are detained, searched, or targeted in operations that range from military action to strategic intimidation.
In this context, the line between piracy, naval warfare, and geopolitical confrontation becomes increasingly blurred. The consequences extend far beyond the region: global trade and energy stability are at stake. To analyze this situation on the show “Je pense donc j’agis,” Melchior Gormand hosts two international relations specialists, Clément Therme and Bertrand Badie, who shed light on a crisis where maritime law, military strategy, and global economic balances intertwine.
The Strait of Hormuz, a tipping point of global tensions
The Strait of Hormuz is now one of the most sensitive points on the planet. As a strategic passage for a significant portion of the global oil supply, this waterway has become the center of escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and their allies. Incidents at sea are on the rise: vessels intercepted, controlled, sometimes fired upon, or seized in hybrid operations that straddle the line between military and illegal maritime actions. According to Clément Therme, a researcher at IFRI, this situation has historical roots while revealing new dynamics.
“We are faced with a confrontation with ripple effects on all countries in the world.”
He emphasizes that the current crisis is not an exact repetition of the past but rather a reconfiguration of confrontational dynamics inherited from the 1979 Islamic revolution. Therme stresses the structural dimension of the conflict, where Iran is now a challenger to the regional order, breaking away from the security architecture dominated by the US and its allies. This posture transforms the Strait of Hormuz into a space of permanent confrontation, where every maritime incident can have global repercussions.
Piracy, hybrid warfare, and global instability
Amid these rising tensions, the classification of sea incidents sparks debate. Is it mere piracy or a new form of hybrid warfare? For political scientist Bertrand Badie, a specialist in international relations, the answer is clear. He asserts that in the realm of international relations, this is a double piracy operation, involving the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the blockade of that blockade. According to him, these actions go beyond the classic framework of diplomatic tension and constitute a genuine act of war with global effects. He also highlights the economic and strategic repercussions, emphasizing the widespread impact on economies dependent on oil.
“This globalization of conflict turns every disruption in the Strait into a seismic shock for oil-dependent economies.”
Badie warns of a dangerous dynamic: when each actor perceives the other as weakened, their natural reflex is to escalate. This spiral could permanently transform the Strait of Hormuz into a zone of global instability.
