What It Would Take to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
An end to hostilities won’t necessarily bring ships pouring back through the strategic waterway. Here’s what a return to normal traffic is likely to entail
A naval vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Photographer: Sahar Al Attar/AFP/Getty ImagesEach new day that the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to shipping casts a longer shadow over the global economy.
A return to normal traffic through the strait is unlikely while war is raging. And once the conflict eventually abates, it’s unclear how soon sailings might resume and at what level. Merely the threat of Iranian attacks has left most ship operators unwilling to brave the journey since the US and Israel began to bombard Iran on Feb. 28. Their fear won’t be entirely dispelled once the fighting dies down, or even if there’s a formal ceasefire. Some form of naval escort is likely to be required at first, and such an operation presents a host of risks and limitations.
