Hormuz remains largely blocked

The effective closure of the world's most critical oil chokepoint has left over 600 vessels stranded, creating a massive backlog that experts say will take weeks to clear even if full access is restored.

Iran has claimed the presence of naval mines as a technical justification for the restrictions, though U.S. intelligence remains skeptical of these assertions.

The ongoing blockade is driving global energy prices higher and has forced nations like Japan to tap into emergency oil reserves.

President Trump has signaled that the U.S. will move to reopen the strait 'with or without' Iranian cooperation as peace talks begin in Pakistan.