Trump Has Only Terrible Choices With Iran
The United States faces a difficult impasse with Iran regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides rejecting the other's interpretation of recent cease-fire agreements. Options for the U.S. are limited, as Iran maintains a strategic advantage through its ability to threaten shipping lanes.
Why it matters
Analyzes the geopolitical instability in a critical global oil transit route and the limitations of current U.S. foreign policy.
Some involve accepting Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz. The rest call for escalation.
Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / AP July 17, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save Here we are again: Iran is shooting at traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump is ordering retaliatory strikes, and both sides have declared the latest cease-fire agreement “ over ” or “ dead .” That Iran reportedly plotted to kill Trump —possibly in the new 747 given to him by the Qatari royal family—surely did not help. Now Trump is reimposing the American naval blockade. He also threatened to institute a 20 percent toll on all goods transiting the strait, to defray “any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World”—then promptly backed off of that.
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