Naval Operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the Greek Perspective

This issue brief examines the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz in the context of the 2026 regional crisis involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with particular emphasis on the implications for Greece. It argues that Hormuz is not merely a regional maritime choke point, but a global centre of gravity where energy security, freedom of navigation, international law, naval deterrence, and supply-chain resilience converge. The analysis highlights the vulnerability of global oil and LNG flows, the operational risks created by asymmetric Iranian capabilities, and the limitations of purely military solutions in such a complex maritime environment. From a Greek perspective, the issue brief demonstrates that the security of Hormuz is directly connected to national maritime interests, given the scale of Greek-owned shipping and Greece’s role as a leading European maritime power. It further assesses how Greek diplomacy, the Hellenic Navy’s operational experience in EU and NATO maritime missions, and Greece’s support for international legality can contribute to a limited, defensive, and multilateral framework for safeguarding navigation.