Iran’s New Playbook in the Gulf: Old Tricks with New Tech

Back in the 1980s, Iran made life difficult for ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz by using mines, missiles, and speedboats. Now, it’s doing it again—but with drones. This time, the stakes feel higher because cheap, easy-to-use drones let Iran reach farther and strike faster than before. The world watched closely when the U. S. sent warships to protect oil tankers decades ago, but today’s approach is different. Instead of direct escorts, the U. S. is sharing safety tips and maps of minefields, hoping ships can avoid trouble on their own.The big question is whether this lighter touch will work. After a short break in tensions, things are heating up again. Since late strikes by the U. S. and Israel, Iran has hit more than two dozen ships and taken two hostage. It’s also telling ships they need permission to pass through the strait—something that could slow down global trade. Shipping companies aren’t so sure the new plan is enough, especially when tankers start piling up near the narrow passage. What makes this different from the past is the lack of a full-blown war. The 1980s mess was part of a bigger fight between Iran and Iraq, but now the tension is mostly between Iran and the U. S. Still, leaders are looking back at history for answers. Should they use force? Expand patrols? The problem is, the rules of the game have changed. Drones and modern tech mean Iran can push its influence without sending out big fleets. That makes it tough to know how far is too far before things spiral out of control.