Iran keeps control of Strait of Hormuz after US defeat
Updated
Updated · The Atlantic · May 10
Iran keeps control of Strait of Hormuz after US defeat
10 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · May 10
After 37 days of US-Israeli strikes, the turning point came when Israel hit South Pars on 18 March and Iran struck Qatar's Ras Laffan, damaging gas export capacity for years.
The report says Donald Trump then halted attacks on Iranian energy sites, declared a ceasefire without concessions from Tehran, and is now weighing blockade or withdrawal as oil prices surge.
It argues Iran can use the strait to pressure trading nations, weaken US influence, isolate Israel and deepen global energy, inflation and security risks while China and Russia gain.
Iran held the world economy hostage with simple tactics. What critical vulnerability does this expose for all major nations?
The US just lost control of the world's oil tap. Which nation will now step in to fill the vacuum?
A 37-day air campaign failed against Iran. Are superpowers becoming obsolete in modern regional conflicts?
Iran’s 2026 Seizure of the Strait of Hormuz: Global Oil Supply Disrupted, Economic Fallout Spreads
Overview
In early May 2026, following the US-Israel war on Iran, Iran has taken effective control of the Strait of Hormuz, turning it into a global economic chokepoint. Iran has vowed to close the Strait and now allows only selective transit, granting passage to certain vessels while blocking others. This has caused the largest oil supply disruption in history, severely impacting global trade. The selective approval system and ongoing conflict have made shipping risky and expensive, leading to a sharp rise in energy prices and widespread economic and humanitarian consequences worldwide.