Trump Delays Iran Offensive as Tehran Keeps Grip on 100-Ship Hormuz Standoff

6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 25

Last week, Trump shelved a planned military offensive against Iran after Gulf Arab leaders urged restraint, saying serious negotiations were underway.
More than a month after his April cease-fire announcement, Iran has largely held to its nuclear terms and kept control of the Strait of Hormuz, blunting a U.S. pressure campaign of threats and limited operations.
At least 100 ships have been redirected under a continuing U.S. naval cordon on Iranian ports, while Trump's short-lived "Project Freedom" escorted only two vessels out of the strait before being suspended.
The stalled effort has kept a key oil and gas chokepoint constrained, prolonging higher energy prices and political pressure on Trump as the war remains unpopular at home and costly for Gulf allies.
Analysts say Tehran emerged emboldened from the war and sees time on its side, partly because its ability to disrupt Hormuz gives it leverage in any eventual peace deal.

With Iran managing the reopened Strait, will new tolls and controls simply create a different kind of global economic choke point?

If the deal defers the nuclear issue, what prevents this cease-fire from being just a strategic pause before a greater conflict?