Iran has found the "Achilles' heel" of the global economy: the Strait of Hormuz. The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that "without Tehran's permission, no oil shipments will pass through the strait" - and proved it without a traditional military blockade.

Instead of direct military action, Iran used a subtle tactic: deploying drones near the waterway. This forced insurance companies and shipping firms to withdraw their policies for vessels crossing the strait - a de facto self-closure without firing a shot.

The effect was dramatic. The number of ships passing through Hormuz fell by 70 percent - in the period March 1-9, only 39 cargo ships passed, compared to the normal daily average of 138. Global liquefied natural gas deliveries fell by 20 percent, and Iraq had to shut down its oil fields because it had nowhere to export its reserves.

The International Energy Agency coordinated the release of 400 million barrels from strategic reserves - more than double the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Analysts warn that a lasting normalization of transit is key to economic stability.