Hormuz Blockade Elevates Caspian Sea as Iran-Russia Back Channel

Following the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Russia is utilizing the Caspian Sea as a new strategic supply route to Iran, providing military goods and foodstuffs. This has transformed the Caspian Sea into a key trade corridor between Iran and Russia, and US policymakers view the region as a ‘geopolitical black hole’ due to its difficulty in surveillance and operations. Israel’s strike on Iranian naval facilities aimed to disrupt weapons shipments.