Trump Ignored Iran's Strait of Hormuz Threats Despite Two Decades of Warnings

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Iran has issued repeated threats to close the waterway over the past twenty years. Those warnings have been echoed by regional analysts and U.S. officials. President Trump publicly downplayed the likelihood of an Iranian shutdown. Critics say his administration ignored intelligence about Iran’s capabilities. An unimpeded closure could disrupt billions of dollars of daily trade. The lack of preparation raised concerns about U.S. maritime security policy. Observers will watch for any diplomatic moves to address the lingering risk.