The Strait of Hormuz, as the world's most significant geoeconomic chokepoint, plays a vital role in energy security and geopolitical dynamics. Developments during the Ramadan War demonstrated that the importance of this waterway extends beyond traditional military and economic dimensions, with perception management, cognitive warfare, and smart governance emerging as key elements of deterrence. This study examines the cognitive dimensions of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on the security and economic calculations of international actors during the Ramadan War.The research aims to explain Iran’s model of cognitive governance in the Strait of Hormuz through a qualitative-analytical approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with experts in geopolitics, national security, cognitive warfare, energy, and media, and were analyzed using thematic coding. Strategic documents and relevant academic sources were also employed to strengthen the theoretical framework. The findings indicate that Iran, by leveraging the Strait’s geopolitical position, intelligent maritime management, and crisis perception control, created a form of cognitive-geoeconomic deterrence. This deterrence influenced not only energy markets but also global supply chains and the strategic calculations of major international powers.