With Iran choking off the Strait of Hormuz, what can the U.S. do?
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The Bottom Line
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
How This Affects You
Global oil supply disruption will likely raise your gas prices and energy costs significantly.
AI Summary
Iran has blocked oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. intensifies military action against the country. The closure affects a vital shipping channel that carries one-fifth of the world's oil supply, causing global ramifications. CBS News examined the challenges facing American naval vessels and the timeline for potential U.S. Navy operations to reopen the strait. Retired General Frank McKenzie provided analysis on the military hazards and strategic options available to restore the critical waterway.
What's Being Done
The U.S. Navy is examining military options to reopen the critical shipping waterway.
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After Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz, Nations Respond With Caution

After Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz, Nations Respond With Caution - The New York Times

Trump calls for naval coalition to open Strait of Hormuz: Can it work? - Al Jazeera
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A brief social media post by the US Energy Secretary caused the Trump administration to do a major U-turn. Within 30 minutes, Secretary Chris Wright posted - and deleted - that the US Navy had successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite its short life, the claim sent oil markets into a frenzy, sparked a denial from the White House and triggered mockery from Iranian officials. Vedika Bahl explains in Truth or Fake.
PoliticsScoop: Trump eases Venezuela sanctions on oil, fertilizer to blunt Iran war costs
<p>The Treasury Department made it easier Friday for U.S. businesses and farmers to buy Venezuelan fertilizer and oil as their prices rise because of the <a href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran war,</a> Axios has learned.</p><p><strong>Why it matters</strong>: The bottleneck of tankers in the Persian Gulf because of Iranian attacks has caused the costs of oil and fertilizer, a petrochemical product, to jump. It threatens to spike inflation and raise the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/iran-us-israel-war-food-crisis-prices-fertilizer-energy-costs-inflation/a-76286348" target="_blank">cost </a>of food in the U.S.</p><hr><ul><li>By reducing sanctions on oil-rich Venezuela, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-war-trump-officials-ship-escorts-hormuz-strait" target="_blank">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent</a> hopes to increase supplies in the U.S. and lower prices.</li></ul><p><strong>Zoom in:</strong> The Office of Foreign Assets Control, which manages ...
GlobalWhy Kharg Island is a strategic focus as Iran war escalates
Global energy markets have been rocked by the U.S. war with Iran, as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been all but completely cut off. But one location that has not been hit is Kharg Island, which is roughly 16 miles off the coast of Iran and 300 miles from the Strait of Hormuz.…
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Strikes continue as Trump says US attacks on Iran will dramatically increase if it tries to close Strait of Hormuz.
GlobalUS ignites Iran war, but Gulf Arab states pay the price, Gulf sources say - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxOMEpxOGtTSGx6YXcxekl0a05SSEFWcnFOZXIweUMtai1DeVRiUmtBN1ExczNnZm02NmdPeXdFQllaaVlYNG5HVWgzN2MzMHo0QUtfcFlKU2RTRFp6SG1zZGQxczBXazFab1BjZmJadTdVX00xZV8wdU9aN0tHVUxzVUlldjVTVm9MeEpsTGM2WDJlcHVyclJCMC1seUNvT2RWTkdkN2dDQml2ZzZ3dmtQM2s2alRsbG82?oc=5" target="_blank">US ignites Iran war, but Gulf Arab states pay the price, Gulf sources say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalGulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxPb3QtaHVNcTBlczRpWjlLd1FzQzV4ODB4ZEVCdGF6RHVyUW9uNDJDeVpnLUZfUmNmdF8xMnhDNGZaaC1CdnRFWnF1RVk3N2dTZFR2ajNabWNnM09SNzVUNTNPTmxHUUk0U2lNbGxHYXVGRDJEcmdSZTJ4MDc0ZWEyRkg4V2liUDF0SHFmOFhHY2xKLVVqWGNN?oc=5" target="_blank">Gulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts. The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…
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