As tensions peak ahead of a looming deadline, the standoff around the Strait of Hormuz is entering a critical phase. United States forces are moving naval assets closer to the region while Iran has placed its missiles and drones on high alert.

There are several ways the United States could attempt to reopen the waterway, all of which carry substantial risks.

Strait of Hormuz traffic is near collapse as Iran reportedly charges tankers $2 million in transit fees, prompting President Trump to threaten strikes on Iranian power infrastructure.

Iran has begun charging a USD 2 million transit fee on certain vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting control

As the United States seeks partners in the spiralling war on Iran, President Donald Trump dialled British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The call came after Trump repeatedly trashed Nato allies for not joining the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Oil and liquefied natural gas tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz carry around 20% of the world’s supply. But for countries on the Persian Gulf, the waterway is more than just an energy route – it’s a lifeline for more than 100 million people.