Tracing the origins of the Strait of Hormuz to ancient Persian cosmology reveals how U.S. foreign policy toward Iran turns historically layered places into strategic abstractions, fueling instability across the Middle East. Marco Polo with elephants and camels arriving at Hormuz -- Boucicaut Master, (fl.1390-1430) (and workshop), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Martina Moneke To speak of the Strait of Hormuz today is already to enter a language of reduction. In policy