Overview
- President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz could be "jointly" controlled by him and Iran's ayatollah, characterizing ongoing conversations as productive.
- New reporting describes U.S. planning for a weeks‑long operation to reopen the waterway, with scenarios that could include seizing key facilities such as Kharg Island.
- Recent deployments include a naval task force with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and roughly 4,500 sailors and Marines, signaling preparation for sustained operations.
- Iran has effectively constrained traffic by guiding ships near its coast and establishing what Lloyd's List describes as a de facto safe corridor, while high insurance costs deter many transits.
- Tehran says regional states are working to reduce tensions but denies any dialogue to end the war, and global energy markets remain stressed by restricted flows.