Understanding the risk of blocking in the Strait of Hormuz

Circumstances involving immediate physical danger, widespread cancellation or withdrawal of cover, and credible threats of detention or attack may collectively satisfy the threshold for recognising a vessel as blocked and trapped

THE SECURITY situation in the Gulf region has deteriorated rapidly since February 28, 2026, when the US began a series of strikes against Iran, which resulted in a series of retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israel, US military bases in the Middle East and other locations in the region housing US forces.