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Miami Beach Today
By the People, for the People
Trump's Attempt to Force Strait of Hormuz Open Faces Skepticism
Ex-Royal Navy Officer Doubts President's Ability to Pressure Iran
Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:32am
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As tensions escalate over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a former naval officer casts doubt on the US president's ability to forcibly keep the waterway open.Miami Beach TodayPresident Donald Trump's efforts to compel Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz will likely fail, according to a former Royal Navy officer. The US president recently warned that if Iran blocks the strategic waterway, the US would take action, but the ex-officer argues that even the Houthis, a less sophisticated threat, were able to disrupt passage through the strait over an 18-month period.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and any disruption there could have major economic and geopolitical consequences. Trump's tough rhetoric against Iran raises the stakes, but this former naval expert casts doubt on whether the US president can successfully force Iran's hand.
The details
In recent comments, President Trump threatened that if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, the US would take action to keep the waterway open. However, a former Royal Navy officer argued that even the Houthis, a less sophisticated threat, were able to disrupt passage through the strait over an 18-month period, suggesting Iran may prove an even more formidable adversary.
- On March 27, 2026, President Trump spoke at the Future Investment Initiative Institute's summit in Miami Beach, Florida.
The players
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who has threatened to take action if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthis
A rebel group in Yemen that was able to disrupt passage through the Strait of Hormuz over an 18-month period, according to the former Royal Navy officer.
The takeaway
This report suggests that President Trump's tough rhetoric against Iran may not translate into effective action to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, as even less sophisticated groups have been able to disrupt passage through the strategic waterway. The former naval expert's skepticism highlights the challenges the US president may face in pressuring Iran on this issue.
