Iran has long asserted that it can shut down the Strait of Hormuz. While the strait can't be "closed" in the traditional sense - like shutting a road - Iran could attempt to make the waterway too dangerous for commercial passage, effectively disrupting global shipping.

As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, speculation is rising about whether the Iranians will close the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical to the world’s oil production. Two ocean tankers crashed into each other and burst into flames near the strait early Tuesday morning amid reports of electronic interference caused by Israel and