Editing Choke point (section)

=== Threats to the Strait of Hormuz ===
The [[Strait of Hormuz]], connecting the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Arabian Sea]], is one of the world's most strategically important maritime choke points. [[Iran|The Islamic Republic of Iran]] is one of the largest security threats in the Strait of Hormuz and remains an essential factor in global energy security, due to the high volume of oil and natural gas passing through the narrow openings on a daily basis. The [[sovereignty]] of The Islamic Republic of Iran extends, beyond its land [[territory]], [[internal waters]] and its islands in the [[Persian Gulf]], to the [[Strait of Hormuz]] and the [[Oman sea|Oman Sea]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mojtahed-Zadeh|first=D.|title=Security and Territoriality in the Persian Gulf: A Maritime Political Geography|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|isbn=978-0700710980}}</ref> [[Iran]] has used its sovereignty to threaten to close down the Strait of Hormuz multiple times, due to [[Sanctions against Iran|sanctions imposed on]] the country.<ref>Katzman, K., Nerurkar, N., O'Rourke, R., Mason, R. C. & Ratner, M. 2012. ''Iran’s Threat to the Strait of Hormuz'', CRS Report for Congress.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Strait of Hormuz: Why does Iran threaten to close it?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/28/strait-of-hormuz-why-does-iran-threaten-to-close-it|last=Lahabi|first=Omid|date=2019-06-28|website=euronews|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> This poses serious threats to the global [[Petroleum industry|oil market]], with the Strait of Hormuz as a key location. Iran's capabilities are found in the country's [[anti-access/area denial]] capabilities including small attack craft equipped with [[machine gun]]s, multiple-launch rockets, [[anti-ship missile]]s and [[torpedo]]es.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kahl|first=C. H.|date=2012|title=Not Time to Attack Iran: Why War Should Be a Last Resort|journal=Foreign Affairs|volume=91|pages=166–173}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rezaei|first=F.|date=2019|title=Iran's Military Capability: The Structure and Strength of Forces|journal=Insight Turkey|volume=21|pages=183–214}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran Deploys Missiles Covering The Strait Of Hormuz|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/04/07/iran-deploys-missiles-covering-the-strait-of-hormuz/|last=Sutton|first=H. I.|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> [[Naval mine|Naval mining]] has also been used  as a strategy to threaten the security of the Strait of Hormuz.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Henseler|first=S. P.|title="Left of Splash" Legal Issues Related to the Use of Force to Counter Mining in the Strait of Hormuz. In: Schildknecht, J., Dickey, R., Fink, M. & Ferris, L. (eds.) Operational Law in International Straits and Current Maritime Security Challenges|publisher=Springer|year=2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Ramazani|first=R. K.|title=Independence without Freedom: Iran's Foreign Policy|date=2013|publisher=University of Virginia Press|jstor=j.ctt6wrj9g}}</ref> Lastly, the many naval exercises and unconventional methods used by the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy]], is a display of capability and shows readiness to take action in the choke point.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pham|first=J. P.|date=2010|title=Iran's Threat to the Strait of Hormuz: A Realist Assessment|journal=American Foreign Policy Interests|volume=32|issue=2|pages=64–74|doi=10.1080/10803921003697542|s2cid=154650063}}</ref><ref>Hicks, K. H. & Dalton, M. G. 2017. ''Deterring Iran after the Nuclear Deal'', Rowman & Littlefield.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Explainer: Could Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/01/08/explainer-could-iran-close-the-strait-of-hormuz/|last=University|first=Rockford Weitz, Tufts|date=2020-01-07|website=Navy Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> The strategic value of maritime choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz means that the threats to the choke point influence sharp rises in oil prices.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yadlin|first1=A.|last2=Guazansky|first2=Y.|date=2012|title=The Strait of Hormuz: Assessing and Neutralizing the Threat.|journal=Strategic Assessment|volume=14}}</ref> The several attacks which have occurred over the last decade against oil facilities and tankers in or near the Strait of Hormuz, has had a large impact on the [[Petroleum industry|oil industry]]. From the perspective of [[security studies]], Iran is an important player in the international oil economy.