Questions rise as US claims deeper control of Strait of Hormuz

Key Points:

• The U.S. has been escorting oil tankers through a southern channel of the Strait of Hormuz to regain some control from Iran, but the volume of oil passing through remains significantly below prewar levels, with only a fraction of the usual traffic.
• Estimates on tanker traffic vary, with U.S. officials claiming about 40 tankers passed through recently, while independent analysts and the UK Navy report much lower numbers, raising skepticism about the actual throughput.
• The operation requires substantial Pentagon resources, including around 20 Navy warships and two aircraft carrier strike groups, posing risks of Iranian retaliation and mental health strains on deployed personnel.
• Despite these efforts, the limited oil flow is insufficient to meet global demand, continuing to deplete stockpiles and maintain upward pressure on oil prices, which remain elevated amid geopolitical tensions.
• President Trump has vowed a strong military response to Iran and asserted U.S. control over the Strait, but experts caution that public reassurances may not fully reflect the complex and fragile situation on the ground.