The Strait of Hormuz holds a unique strategic and geographical significance as an extension of the Iranian Plateau, according to an analysis by an Iranian author. Located between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the strait serves not only as a critical maritime chokepoint but also as an integral part of Iran’s physical and geological landscape.

The author highlights that the curvature of Iran’s coastline toward the north forms a natural arc along which the Strait of Hormuz lies. This arc includes several Iranian islands—Qeshm, Larak, Hengam, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Hormuz—that together create a defensive perimeter with significant control over maritime traffic. These islands, described as “unsinkable aircraft carriers,” provide Iran with a 360-degree vantage point along the narrowest and only navigable channel suitable for large oil tankers. As a result, vessels entering or leaving the Persian Gulf must pass close to Iranian-controlled territory, effectively placing the nation in a commanding position over this "vital artery" of global energy supplies.

The strait’s physical geography also restricts the movement of foreign naval forces. Shallow sedimentary areas along the channel’s edges limit large fleets’ maneuverability, making the area particularly vulnerable to asymmetric maritime tactics such as the deployment of fast attack boats and naval mines. Iran’s intimate knowledge of the seabed, combined with its extended surveillance capabilities reaching as far east as the port of Jask, allows for early detection of vessels approaching from the Sea of Oman, further enhancing its strategic hold on the waterway.

From a geological standpoint, the Strait of Hormuz is described as a submerged continuation of the Zagros mountain range and the Iranian Plateau. The seabed’s sedimentary layers and salt domes share the same tectonic origins as the mainland of southern Iran. During the last Ice Age, when sea levels were lower, the Persian Gulf was part of dry land connected to the Iranian Plateau, with the strait’s current location serving as an ancient river valley for rivers such as the Karun and the Euphrates. This geological continuity is cited as evidence of the natural belonging of the seabed to Iran.

The area’s considerable hydrocarbon reserves further underscore the connection between the strait and Iran’s southern territory. Oil and gas fields beneath the strait represent a direct extension of the vast energy resources found on the mainland, adding an economic dimension to the strategic and geological importance of the region. Together, these elements form the basis for Iran’s assertion that control over the Strait of Hormuz is both a natural right and a critical component of its national security strategy.