The Strait of Hormuz is open—to Russia

Russian ships continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Russian foreign-policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said yesterday. Typically, around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows through Hormuz, but Iran has responded to attacks by the United States and Israel by attacking civilian shipping in the strait, virtually closing it. But Russia is on a short list of countries (including China, India, Iraq and Pakistan) whose vessels Iran has not attacked. Unlike China, India and Pakistan, Russia does not rely on the energy supplies passing through Hormuz. But Russia’s working with Iran to influence energy flows can complicate U.S. strategy, apply pressure on energy-importing nations, and drive global oil prices still higher, increasing its own energy revenues.