Tehran, June 8 -- Assistant Professor of West Asian Studies at the University of Tehran, Elham Kadkhodaee, has said that Iran views the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever of deterrence aimed at ensuring that the United States and Israel 'think twice' before launching any attack on the country.

She said Tehran is seeking to strengthen this deterrence mechanism amid escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly in the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Speaking to ANI on Monday following a recent escalation involving intense rounds of attacks and counterattacks, Kadkhodaee described the situation as "predictable," citing developments in the region, particularly Israel's actions in Lebanon and broader regional ten...