霍尔木兹海峡是全球能源运输关键通道，超过四分之一的海运石油出口经过该水道。战前平均每天约46艘油轮通过，但战争爆发后几乎完全停航，仅少数船只仍在通行。至少16艘船在海湾地区遭到袭击，包括3月12日在海峡附近被击中的一艘散货船和两艘燃料油轮。由于运输中断，载满油的船只聚集在海峡西侧，而空船则滞留在东侧，造成全球能源供应冲击。

美国军方已摧毁伊朗大量海军力量，包括16艘布雷船，并考虑为油轮提供护航，这类似1980年代伊朗—伊拉克战争期间的“诚意行动”。然而伊朗仍拥有多层海上威胁，包括弹道导弹、巡航导弹、无人机、快速攻击艇以及数千枚海雷。专家指出，如果美国实施护航行动，将需要军舰、战斗机、直升机和侦察机持续保护，而且成本高昂。即使如此，美国海军仍对能否安全恢复航运表示谨慎。

历史经验显示清除这种封锁非常困难。伊朗可以利用海峡狭窄地形与沿岸高地形成防御层次，先以导弹、无人机和快艇攻击，再部署海雷阻断航道。扫雷舰本身防护能力较弱，在持续攻击下难以作业。相比大型油轮，美国军舰反而更容易受损，因为其上部结构和雷达设备更脆弱。专家认为，除非战争迅速结束，否则美国很难在短期内完全恢复霍尔木兹海峡的安全通航。

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical energy chokepoint through which more than a quarter of global seaborne oil exports normally pass. Before the war about 46 tankers crossed the strait daily, but traffic has nearly halted since the conflict began, with only a few vessels still attempting the passage. At least 16 ships have been struck in the Gulf region, including a bulk carrier and two fuel tankers attacked on March 12. As shipping stalls, loaded tankers are accumulating on the western side of the strait while empty vessels gather on the eastern side, contributing to a major shock in global energy markets.

American forces have already destroyed much of Iran’s naval capability, including 16 vessels used for laying mines, and Washington has discussed escorting oil tankers with warships, echoing the 1980s Operation Earnest Will during the Iran–Iraq war. However Iran still retains multiple threats to shipping, including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, fast attack boats and potentially thousands of sea mines. Military analysts warn that escort operations would require constant protection from warships, fighter aircraft, helicopters and surveillance systems, making them complex and expensive. Even so, the U.S. Navy remains uncertain whether safe passage can be quickly restored.

Historical experience suggests reopening such waterways is extremely difficult. Iran can exploit the narrow geography of the strait and surrounding high terrain to layer its defences, first using missiles, drones and fast boats before deploying mines. Minesweeping vessels are lightly protected and could struggle to operate under attack. In confined waters advanced technology offers fewer advantages, and warships may be more vulnerable than large tankers, which often have double hulls. Unless the war ends quickly, the United States may find it challenging to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz in the near term.