WASHINGTON - March 16, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking international support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively blocked the critical shipping lane following the February 28 U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian leadership. The disruption matters globally because the narrow waterway carries roughly 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies and about one-third of global fertilizer shipments, meaning prolonged instability could drive up energy prices, farm input costs, and food prices worldwide.

Iran controls one side of the narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Since the escalation of the conflict, Tehran has used drones, missiles, and naval mines to make the passage unsafe for large oil and gas tankers that typically move through the strait every day.

Why Iran Moved to Block the Strait

Iran has long threatened to close the strait during periods of geopolitical tension, but analysts say the latest blockade reflects a dramatic shift in strategy following the February attack that killed the country's supreme leader.

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Historically, Iranian officials have framed a closure as a last-resort response because it risks provoking a major military retaliation and could damage Iran's own energy exports. However, Iranian authorities now describe the current war as an existential conflict, giving hardline elements within the Revolutionary Guard greater influence over military strategy. Military leaders have repeatedly warned that blocking the passage would be straightforward. As early as 2011, a senior commander claimed shutting the waterway would be "easier than drinking a glass of water."

What Is at Stake for Global Markets

The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime exit for several major oil and gas exporters, including Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Disruptions in this corridor quickly ripple across global energy markets. Oil prices briefly surged to their highest levels since 2022 as the blockade intensified concerns about supply shortages. Economists warn that sustained price increases could trigger another global cost-of-living crisis, similar to the inflation spike that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

For agriculture, the implications extend beyond fuel prices. According to shipping analytics firm Kpler, approximately 33% of global fertilizers-particularly ammonia and sulphur-pass through the strait. Any prolonged disruption could drive fertilizer prices higher, raising input costs for farmers and threatening global crop production. Agricultural economists note that fertilizer shortages historically translate into lower yields, tighter grain supplies, and rising food prices, making the current conflict a major concern for global food security.

Why Reopening the Strait Is So Difficult

Even if a coalition of naval forces forms, military experts say securing the strait will be extremely challenging.

The shipping lanes are only two nautical miles wide in each direction, forcing vessels to navigate near Iranian islands and mountainous coastlines that provide cover for missile systems and drone operations. Although Iran's traditional navy has been weakened over time, the Revolutionary Guard maintains a wide array of asymmetric capabilities. These include fast-attack boats, mini submarines, naval mines, and explosive-laden drones designed specifically for attacks on commercial shipping.

Security analysts estimate Iran can produce around 10,000 drones per month, giving it the capacity to sustain maritime disruption even if some launch sites are destroyed. Naval experts say escorting a small number of vessels through the strait could be possible in the short term using several destroyers for air defense. Maintaining that level of protection over months, however, would require substantial military resources and coordination among allied fleets.

Trump Seeks Allied Naval Support

President Trump said he expects multiple countries to send naval ships to help reopen the strait and confirmed that the United States is already in discussions with at least seven potential partners. The U.S. administration has also taken economic measures to stabilize shipping activity. Last week, Washington authorized financial guarantees and insurance support for commercial vessels operating in the region through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.

European leaders have been more cautious. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has discussed options with Washington, while French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that a multinational maritime protection mission could emerge-though possibly only after the conflict de-escalates. Several key U.S. allies remain reluctant to commit naval forces. Japan and Australia have already signaled they do not plan to deploy ships, while Germany has expressed skepticism about expanding existing maritime security missions in the region.

Limited Alternatives to the Strait

Energy producers in the Gulf have explored alternatives to reduce dependence on the strait, including pipeline routes that bypass the maritime chokepoint.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have built some infrastructure intended to move crude oil overland to ports outside the Persian Gulf. However, those systems remain limited in capacity and vulnerable to attack, as demonstrated when Houthi forces struck a Saudi pipeline in 2019. For now, analysts say there is no viable replacement for the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most strategically important shipping lanes in the world.