US President Donald Trump has shifted from issuing sharp ultimatums to adopting a more measured tone on the Strait of Hormuz, driven largely by Iran's significant control over one of the world's most critical energy routes.
Trump recently acknowledged that Iran is already influencing traffic and even experimenting with charging transit fees, despite earlier warnings that the strait would 'open itself.'
Iran's control over shipping is real, with traffic dropping sharply since the conflict began, and many ships avoiding the route altogether.
Shipping firms remain wary, with data showing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by as much as 90-95% since early March.
US officials privately admit that reopening the strait is far more complicated than expected, with Iran retaining multiple ways to disrupt shipping, including mines, missiles, small boats, and drones.
The uncertainty has pushed up oil prices, shipping, and insurance costs, further tightening supply.
