The two-week truce: Securing the Strait of Hormuz

Amid rising military tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, Tehran has moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, elevating one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors into a focal point of geopolitical contestation. No longer merely a commercial transit route, the strait has become a powerful strategic lever in an intensifying conflict. The closure has sent shockwaves through global energy markets and poses a significant challenge to Gulf states, whose economies depend heavily on the uninterrupted flow of oil, gas, and trade through these waters. At the same time, the risks of broader economic fallout are mounting, including disruptions to global supply chains, maritime shipping delays, increased insurance costs, flight interruptions, and shortages of key raw materials.

Against this backdrop, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs organized a panel discussion to examine the diplomatic efforts underway to contain the crisis, prevent wider regional spillover and secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The session explored key questions such as: What are the prospects for successful negotiations with Tehran amid mounting international pressure and Iranian defiance? Which diplomatic channels and regional actors are most likely to shape the course of these talks? What military options, if any, are available to ensure freedom of navigation? What strategic alternatives do Gulf states have to reduce their vulnerability to disruptions in the strait? And what role can major regional and international powers play in de-escalating tensions and safeguarding regional and global economic stability?