Operation Aspides

Stories

Iran conflict shuts down the world's most important oil chokepoint

Extended to Arabian Sea and Strait of Hormuz protection amid Indian Ocean risks

Oil prices have fallen sharply. Brent touched $89.65 on November 10, its lowest since August 31, and traded near $92, about 23% below the October 30 peak near $118. President Trump said he would hold off on further strikes on Iran after appeals from regional countries, while keeping the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Updated Yesterday

Western powers and Japan pledge to secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran shuts the world's most important oil chokepoint

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Active in Red Sea; proposal to extend mandate to Hormuz rejected

Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026, after US-Israeli strikes, cutting off roughly a fifth of global oil supply. The US-Iran ceasefire, extended by Trump on April 21, holds formally. But Iran's May 10 counter-proposal demanded Iranian sovereignty over the strait, an end to all US sanctions, and an immediate lifting of the naval blockade. Trump called the response "totally unacceptable," and roughly 1,500 commercial vessels remain trapped inside the Persian Gulf.

Updated May 30