Israel/US-Iran conflict 2026: Reopening the Strait of Hormuz

On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States began a series of strikes against Iran. They said they aimed to induce regime change in the country and target its nuclear and ballistic missile programme. Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the strikes. Iran has appointed his son as successor and launched a series of counter-strikes against Israel, US military bases in the region, and military and civilian locations in Arab states. One Iranian counter action was closing the Strait of Hormuz, a major global trade route for goods, including fuel and gas.

While a conditional ceasefire is in place (extended until talks are concluded), shipping levels through the strait remain very low. The US has since announced a counter-blockade on ships seeking to use Iranian ports. There are also defensive UK and other initiatives under discussion to reopen the strait to vessels. The Library’s Iran in 2026 collection provides more on the 2026 conflict, Iran and US-Iran talks.

The Strait of Hormuz and global shipping

The Strait of Hormuz is a major trade route. Around 20% of global petroleum and 20% of liquified natural gas (LNG) traverses the strait each year. Pre-conflict, around 3,000 vessels used the strait each month. World Trade Organization data suggests a 95% reduction in ships carrying crude oil to and from Persian Gulf ports and a 99% reduction in ships with LNG since the conflict began. This has pushed up global prices (benefiting both Russia and, in the short term, Iran). The United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s state-owned oil company estimates full flows through Hormuz will not resume until 2027, even if a deal is reached quickly.

While much of the strait and the Persian Gulf lie in international waters, its narrowest part is within Iranian and Omani territorial waters. The ship route consists of two-mile-wide navigable channels.

What restrictions has Iran imposed?

Following the US/Israeli strikes, Iran said it would block ships, aside from those of “non hostile” states, from using the strait. The Iranian Government is also reportedly imposing tolls on ships transitioning the strait. In May it proposed Iranian control of wider parts of the strait, a new body to manage it, and continued to reportedly develop a “tiered system” of control to allow ships of specific countries to use the strait (sometimes for a fee). It has suggested talks with Oman on the management on the strait and tolls, drawing US criticism.

Iran has said that its control of the strait must continue after the conflict (this was not the case before February), though President Trump has said that any agreement must allow the unrestricted movement of shipping. He said Oman, which has historically played a mediatory role between Iran and the US, would be “blow[n] […] up” if they did not “behave like everybody else”.

While Iranian naval strength is greatly diminished, threats from drones, mines and small ships, as well as insurance costs, mean shipping companies remain hesitant to use the route.

US statements and counter-blockade Military measures and counter-blockade

In response to the Iranian statements, in March President Trump requested support from NATO allies, China, Japan and South Korea to secure access through the strait. However, they declined to do so during hostilities. The President later said that support from other states was not required.

On 13 April, the US launched a counter-blockade of the strait, targeting all ships seeking to reach Iranian ports. Iran has threatened military action if the US blockade does not end. The US says it has redirected 127 commercial ships.

On 3 May, the president announced the US would launch “project freedom” to escort ships through the strait as a “humanitarian gesture”. Only limited action was taken by the time the president paused the plan on 5 May, citing a request from Pakistan to allow the ceasefire talks to continue.

Sanctions and talks

In an attempt to lower global oil prices, in March the US temporarily removed sanctions on some Russian oil and Iranian oil already in transit. Both exemptions have since expired. The 32 members of the International Energy Agency, including the UK, have also released 400 million barrels of oil.

The reopening of the strait is a major issue in the Pakistan-mediated talks. The US Secretary of State has said any Iranian tolling system in the strait “would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible”. On 12 April, President Trump had said that under the conditional ceasefire, “Iran promised to open the strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so”. The president has previously threated extensive attacks on Iranian infrastructure if shipping does not resume through the strait. He said that a planned US attack on Iran on 19 May was paused because of Arab Gulf opposition.

Diplomatic initiatives UK and France have hosted two international conferences

The UK and France have hosted two conferences on reopening Hormuz, with a focus on exploring potential sanctions, diplomatic initiatives and insurance provision for ships. They have signed a statement, alongside 36 other countries, expressing their readiness to contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage and condemning attacks on commercial shipping. On 17 April, France and the UK said they would establish an international defensive mission for the strait, once a sustainable ceasefire has been agreed.

The two held a meeting on 11 May to discuss their commitments. The UK said it will commit autonomous mine hunting equipment, counter-drone systems, Typhoon jets, HMS Dragon and potentially RFA Lyme Bay to the defensive mission, once it is operational. HMS Dragon has been sent to the region, as has France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group. Iran has criticised the planned deployments, saying it will deliver “a decisive and immediate response” if they are sent to the strait.

Draft UN Security Council in April vetoed by China and Russia

On 7 April, China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution on the strait of Hormuz. The Bahraini-drafted resolution called for an end to Iranian attacks and for states to “coordinate efforts” defensively for shipping access, including escorts for ships. However, China has called on freedom of navigation in the strait to be guaranteed as the “shared call of the international community”. The UK backed the resolution, as did the United States.

Further resolutions are being drafted, but with no votes arranged

In May, the US said it was drafting a new, “narrower” resolution, with input from some Arab Gulf states. France has also said it is preparing a resolution to establish ​an international mission to restore freedom of movement in the strait. Neither have been scheduled for a vote.