- By Ajeet Kumar
- Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate amid US-Iran conflict.
- Iran reimposes restrictions after US naval blockade.
- Trump's strategy uses economic pressure to curb Iran.
Tensions in the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of global oil passes, have intensified ever since the Israel-US and Iran started a war in February. Since then, Iran has claimed the passage is open for friendly nations. When the US announced a new plan to block the already blocked Hormuz, this irked Tehran to block the route for all.
On Sunday, Iran briefly reopened the waterway but quickly reimposed restrictions in response to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which began last week after the collapse of initial peace talks. However, according to a former US Admiral Robert Harward, the current plan of blockade could be a masterstroke for the US Navy. According to him, it could led the Iranian forces to surrender.
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Tensions escalate near Hormuz
US President Donald Trump stated that the USS Spruance destroyer issued multiple warnings before firing on the vessel's engine room to disable it, after which Marines boarded and took control. Tehran condemned the seizure as a "ceasefire violation" and an "act of armed piracy," vowing retaliation. Iran has warned that any restriction on its oil exports will lead to further disruptions for other vessels.
Harward praises Trump's approach
Amid the volatile situation in the region, Harward described the US strategy as "absolutely brilliant," noting the unpredictability of Trump's decisions. "No one really knows what’s going on except the president… I don’t know if that’s part of his deception plan or not," he said. He pointed to successful prior actions, such as striking Iran and recovering a pilot, as evidence of effective execution.
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According to Harward, the combination of the naval blockade and economic pressure is severely straining Iran's regime. “We’re crushing them economically… I’ll be shocked if the regime doesn’t come back to the negotiation table.”
He added that the goal includes restoring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while compelling Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and reduce support for regional proxy groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Harvard argued that weakening Iran's finances would limit its ability to fund allies, potentially easing pressure on Lebanon and other areas. “There’s no doubt the government of Lebanon wants Hezbollah gone,” he said.