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The Strait of Hormuz—narrow waters where global oil flows and tensions never sleep.
March 17, 2026 — from a quiet room, watching the Strait's waters churn
The Strait of Hormuz—narrow waters where global oil flows and tensions never sleep.
There is a narrow passage of water that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. At its narrowest, it's just 21 miles wide. Every day, about 20% of the world's oil passes through it. And every day, the men who guard it make decisions that ripple across continents.
In Iran, those decisions are shaped by figures like Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. Larijani, a veteran politician and former nuclear negotiator, has long been a voice of strategic depth. Soleimani, a senior commander of the Basij force, represents the revolutionary guard's iron will. Together, they stand at the center of Iran's response to pressure—military, economic, and political.
Ali Larijani is one of Iran's most enduring political figures. Born in 1957 in Najaf, Iraq, to a family of prominent clerics, he rose through the ranks of Iran's post-revolutionary system. He has served as Speaker of the Parliament, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.
Known for his sharp intellect and measured rhetoric, Larijani has often been seen as a pragmatist within the Islamic Republic—someone who understands the art of negotiation as well as the necessity of strength. His tenure as nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2007 coincided with some of Iran's most delicate diplomatic moments.
In 2026, Larijani remains a key advisor and influencer, his voice carrying weight in debates about Iran's future direction—especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing confrontation with the West.
Not to be confused with the more famous Qassem Soleimani, Gholamreza Soleimani is a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the head of the Basij force. The Basij is a paramilitary volunteer militia that serves as a moral and social enforcer, as well as a source of manpower during crises.
Soleimani has been vocal in warning against foreign threats and emphasizing the readiness of Iran's forces. Under his leadership, the Basij has been mobilized for everything from disaster relief to crackdowns on dissent. His statements often reflect the regime's uncompromising stance toward the United States and Israel.
In the context of the Strait of Hormuz, Soleimani's role is critical. The Basij and IRGC naval forces are the ones who would execute any operation to close or disrupt the strait—a move that would send shockwaves through global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a geographical feature. It is a pressure point for the global economy. Roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through it daily—about a fifth of total global consumption. Any disruption, even a temporary one, sends prices soaring and markets reeling.
Iran has long threatened to close the strait in response to extreme pressure—sanctions, military strikes, or attempts to strangle its economy. It's a threat that carries enormous weight because it's credible. Iran has the naval capacity to at least temporarily disrupt traffic, and it has shown willingness to take risks when backed into a corner.
For leaders like Larijani and Soleimani, the strait represents both leverage and danger. Use it wisely, and you force the world to negotiate. Use it recklessly, and you invite a response that could devastate your country.
There's a verse in the Quran that speaks to the responsibility of those who hold such power:
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due." — Quran 4:58
The strait is a trust. The oil that flows through it fuels economies, heats homes, and powers hospitals. To disrupt it is to affect millions of lives. Leaders who consider such actions carry a heavy burden.
The Basij was founded in 1979, shortly after the Islamic Revolution, as a volunteer force loyal to the new regime. Its name means "mobilization," and that's exactly what it does—mobilize civilians for everything from war to social services to political repression.
Estimates of the Basij's size vary widely, from a few hundred thousand to several million. They are not a conventional military force but a network of committed volunteers who can be called upon in times of need. In the Iran-Iraq war, Basij fighters were famously used in human wave attacks. Today, they're more likely to be found enforcing morality laws or providing security at rallies.
Under Gholamreza Soleimani, the Basij has become more organized and more integrated into the IRGC's structure. They are a key part of Iran's "total defense" doctrine—the idea that the entire nation can be mobilized to resist foreign aggression.
| Subject | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Ali Larijani Born | 1957, Najaf, Iraq |
| Ali Larijani Key Roles | Speaker of Parliament, Nuclear Negotiator, SNSC Secretary |
| Gholamreza Soleimani Role | Commander of Basij Force |
| Basij Founded | 1979 |
| Basij Estimated Size | Hundreds of thousands to millions |
| Strait of Hormuz Width | 21 miles at narrowest |
| Strait of Hormuz Oil Flow | ~20 million barrels/day (20% of global) |
| Countries Most Dependent on Strait | China, India, Japan, South Korea |
I've spent years watching the Middle East, trying to understand the men who shape its fate. Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani are not household names in the West. They don't give interviews to CNN or post on social media. But they matter. Their decisions, made in rooms we'll never see, affect the price of gas, the stability of nations, the lives of millions.
I think about the weight they carry. The knowledge that a wrong move—a miscalculation, an overreaction—could spiral into war. The pressure from hardliners who want to prove Iran cannot be pushed. The voices of ordinary Iranians who just want to live their lives, feed their families, watch their children grow.
I believe that leadership, at its best, is about restraint. About knowing when strength means acting and when it means waiting. About understanding that the people you lead are not chess pieces but human beings, each with their own hopes and fears.
In the Strait of Hormuz, those hopes and fears converge. Every ship that passes carries not just oil, but the dreams of people who depend on it. And every leader who considers disrupting that flow must answer the same question: is it worth it?
The coming months will test Ali Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani, and every other leader in Tehran. The pressure from the West is not letting up. The temptation to use the strait as leverage will grow. And the consequences of a miscalculation have never been higher.
But Iran has survived decades of pressure. It has learned to adapt, to find allies, to turn weakness into strength. Whether that will be enough this time—no one knows.
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