US military assessors have concluded that forcing Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz would require a large and expensive American military deployment, according to reports from Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet.
The assessment highlights the limitations of current US leverage, as President Donald Trump’s months-long campaign of air strikes, naval blockades, and severe rhetoric has failed to compel Tehran to fully normalize transit through the chokepoint.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy flows, handling a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
The inability to secure unimpeded access through the strait without a major ground or naval escalation presents a complex strategic challenge for the US administration.
Military planners warn that any attempt to forcibly clear the route would carry substantial financial and human costs, complicating the White House’s broader geopolitical objectives in the Middle East.
This development follows a period of heightened tension, during which President Trump signaled potential further military strikes if Iran continued to disrupt regional stability.