Nearly two months into the US–Israel war on Iran, the conflict has killed thousands of people and disrupted major energy flows. At the centre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, the vital chokepoint where about 20 percent of the world’s oil supplies normally flow, which has been repeatedly restricted or threatened with closure by both parties, Iran and the US.During the war, many of the words and terms dominating the headlines carry deeper historical, religious, or political meanings.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listHere are ten key terms shaping the language of the war and what they mean.HormuzThe Strait of Hormuz is the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, connecting the Gulf to the Arabian Sea. It is one of the most strategically important maritime routes in the world. Since the start of the war, access to the strait has been heavily restricted, with periods of partial or near-total closure.The exact origin of the name Hormuz is contested; however, the most widely accepted theory links it to the Middle Persian form of “Ahura Mazda,” the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism, whose name means “Wise Lord” or “Lord of Wisdom.” This connection may date back to the Sasanian period or earlier stages of Persian linguistic development.Less widely accepted theories suggest alternative origins, including a local Persian derivation combining “hur” (stagnant water or marsh) and “mogh” (date palm), implying a “place of dates”, or a possible link to the Greek word “hormos” meaning “cove” or “bay.”Historically, the Kingdom of Hormuz, a minor state in the medieval …
