Four weeks ago the U.S. military was reportedly on the brink of striking Iran. Since then U.S. and Israeli actions have damaged but not eliminated Iran’s missile capabilities. This week another dozen U.S. troops were wounded after Iran struck an air base in Saudi Arabia, and the Trump administration warned the fighting could persist for another two to four weeks.
Senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams in Tel Aviv said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed and pledging a harsh response to any ship attempting to pass. That declaration appears to conflict with President Trump’s remark that Iran had allowed 10 ships through the strait “as a gift” while negotiations are underway. The president added, “We have very substantial talks going on with respect to Iran.”
By deploying strikes and threatening mines, Iran has effectively disrupted traffic through the narrow waterway since the early days of the conflict, contributing to rising energy prices. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20% of the world’s oil. Officials and maritime experts have warned that mines and other hazards make transit risky. As Williams noted, a single mine could potentially disable a tanker with a hull and cargo each worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and many operators are unlikely to take that risk even with military escorts.
There have also been reports that some vessels were charged up to $2 million for safe passage—described by some as a toll or extortion. With domestic and international pressure building on the Trump administration to end the war, control of the strait gives Iran leverage at the negotiating table even as it faces military strikes.
Sen. Marco Rubio said he expects the conflict to run for weeks rather than months and expressed confidence the U.S. can meet its objectives in Iran without deploying ground troops. The situation remains fluid, and the strait’s closure highlights the strategic and economic stakes as diplomacy and military action continue.