Strait of Hormuz remains blocked

Only a handful of ships have successfully navigated the critical passage this week, as marine insurers continue to surge premiums for war risk coverage.

The Trump administration has warned that the US is 'loading up ships' with ammunition to force the waterway open if peace talks in Pakistan fail to reach a resolution.

The effective blockade is causing severe energy shortages across Asia and Europe, with airports warning of a critical jet fuel crisis within weeks.

Military analysts suggest that Iran's inability to clear the mines may be a deliberate tactic to maintain leverage in the ongoing negotiations.