U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran now possesses the capability to shut the Strait of Hormuz whenever it chooses, a powerful new option emerging directly from the ongoing war, three sources told CNN. An informed source said, "We have effectively given Iran control of the strait – a weapon more powerful than any nuclear arm." Iran has also learned it can conduct targeted attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and could potentially deploy Houthi forces to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait as an economic "nuclear option" if negotiations fail. A senior U.S. official warned that Iran would not benefit from any framework agreement unless the strait remains open and Tehran adheres to its commitments. These assessments highlight the strategic cost of a prolonged conflict without fully accounting for Iran's ability to weaponize the world’s most critical energy chokepoint.