There’s a Reason the World’s Most Powerful Navy Struggles in the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s the Water Itself

There’s a Reason the World’s Most Powerful Navy Struggles in the Strait of Hormuz — and It’s the Water Itself

The most powerful navy in history should be able to pry open the world’s most important shipping lane. In practice, it’s far harder than it looks. The Strait of Hormuz is shallow, noisy, and cramped — exactly where America’s warships and sonar lose their edge — and Iran needs only to make passage dangerous, not win. The U.S. could force a corridor open, but keeping it safe would be risky and ruinously expensive. The likeliest ending isn’t a vict…