Exclusive: US intelligence warns Iran unlikely to ease Hormuz Strait chokehold soon, sources say - Reuters

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran is unlikely to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz in the near term, according to sources cited by Reuters. The assessment reflects Iran's continued use of the strategic waterway—through which roughly one-third of global maritime oil trade flows—as a pressure point amid regional tensions. Iran's control over shipping in the strait has periodically disrupted energy markets and raised concerns among U.S. allies in the Gulf, particularly given the waterway's critical importance to global energy security. The intelligence warning suggests the Trump administration should prepare for sustained Iranian leverage over international commerce rather than a near-term resolution. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital chokepoints, making any Iranian interference a significant concern for American interests and global oil prices.