The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping lanes on Earth, carrying about one-fifth of the world’s petroleum liquids and a major share of global LNG exports. Now, as attacks on civilian vessels mount and maritime security warnings rate the threat as critical, global shipping through the Persian Gulf is being choked off.In this video, we break down how Iran is shutting down the Strait of Hormuz without needing to physically “close” it, what the IRGC Navy can still do with missiles, mines, drones, fast attack craft, and explosive drone boats, and why reopening the strait would be far harder than just sending in a few U.S. Navy warships. We also look at what the U.S. Navy would actually have to do to restore shipping, from suppressing shore-based threats to clearing mines and escorting convoys.