Editor's Note: This is part one in a three-part series examining Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz. One of Iran's most important deterrents to an attack on its territory is its threat to close the strait, a vital choke point in the shipping of crude oil from the Persian Gulf into the open sea. Even if largely unsuccessful, the attempt could play havoc with global oil prices just as the world begins to recover from the global economic crisis. But could Iran really pull it off? Stratfor takes a look. Click to read Part 2 and Part 3 .