Trump threatens to blockade Strait of Hormuz, here’s how he could pull it off

The narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the wider world has become a flashpoint since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran six weeks ago. Tehran tightened its grip on the corridor in response, all but closing off a vital thoroughfare. A full blockade could halt the remaining flows and threaten economies far beyond the Middle East. Transits have dwindled to single digits a day, down from about 135 in peacetime. A US naval blockade along the lines of what was carried out off Venezuela from the end of last year could reduce that to zero, pressuring Iran…