Why it’s so difficult for the US to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Restoring oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to prewar levels may require a larger U.S. armada or thousands of troops on Iranian soil. Consequently, global energy players are scrambling to bypass this vital waterway to reduce dependence on the chokepoint. The 2026 U.S.-Iran war and subsequent disruptions are accelerating these global efforts. Additionally, the impasse has reopened debates regarding agricultural subsidies to build more sustainable, diversified, and climate-smart agricultural systems for resilience.