Why hasn’t the US military used force to secure the Strait of Hormuz?

Key Points:

• Since late February, Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli actions by targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global fuel crisis despite some ships still passing through.
• Reopening the strait safely requires a two-phase military campaign: first, neutralizing Iran's ability to attack ships through airstrikes on radar, command centers, and drone stockpiles; second, deploying airborne surveillance, combat air patrols, and naval escorts to protect shipping.
• The US has not militarily secured the strait because it would divert critical assets from key objectives, require risky ground operations along Iran’s coast, demand extensive naval resources, and pose high risks to personnel amid ongoing Iranian threats.
• The presence of mines in the strait complicates clearance efforts, which would be time-consuming and challenging, but Iran is unlikely to heavily mine the strait due to economic self-interest and technical limitations in discriminating between vessels.
• The US’s main military focus remains on degrading Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear capabilities, navy, and proxy networks, prioritizing these goals over securing the strait to avoid undermining broader strategic objectives.