Hormuz Strait Blockade Crisis: Expert Analyzes Scenarios and Urges Diplomacy
Amid rising tensions between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, an Egyptian expert analyzes potential US military strike scenarios against drone sites and energy networks, emphasizing diplomacy as the only resolution.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 22:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 23:02 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 23:42 (40 min after Collected)
US-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are escalating, with Iran charging fees for passing vessels while the US military maintains its deployment in the Middle East. Egyptian experts point out that if the US uses force, it may conduct airstrikes on Iranian drone launch sites or strike critical assets such as energy networks, calling for diplomatic means as the only solution to break the deadlock.
According to reports from US news site Axios and Egyptian media 'Al Ahram,' at least three merchant ship attacks have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the US-Iran war in late February. Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement emphasizing that Iran will continue to control and monitor the Strait of Hormuz until the war is completely over, and all passing ships must obtain Iranian permission and pay passage fees.
The US has also responded strongly, intercepting and detaining the Iranian-flagged freighter 'Touska' in the Arabian Sea to date.
Mina Adel, a senior researcher at the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, said in an interview with 'Al Ahram' on the 22nd that the Iranian Navy was almost completely wiped out in the US-Iran war. Iran has therefore turned to investing in unconventional systems, such as anti-ship missiles, aerial and sea drones, and large numbers of fast attack boats, deploying these equipments in mountain tunnels. In this way, the Iranian Navy does not need to face the US military head-on; while the US military faces a difficult-to-target 'ghost force.'
Adel analyzed that the key for the US to implement a blockade of the strait at this time is that the current situation is still in a ceasefire stage. The US military can deploy relatively safely because Iran is unlikely to risk attacking US warships near its borders during a ceasefire.
The US military currently has three aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East, equipped with F-18 fighter squadrons. Adel believes this deployment suggests the US may have two strategic options. The first is direct continuous airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone launch sites, as well as infrastructure monitoring the strait, to clear threats and protect the safety of the Strait of Hormuz. However, such actions may require ground forces to ensure coastal security and reduce risks when targeting.
The second path is to avoid direct conflict within the strait and instead prioritize striking Iranian critical assets such as energy networks, using continuous precision airstrikes to force Iran to change its position. This is considered the more likely scenario. However, this strategy will require heavy weapons with precision guidance functions to cause significant damage in a short time through continuous airstrikes.
Adel believes that as military confrontation continues to escalate, diplomatic channels are the only viable option for both sides. Adel emphasized that only through diplomatic means can both sides convey messages of victory to their internal audiences, serving as a catalyst for the complete cessation of military operations. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150423
According to reports from US news site Axios and Egyptian media 'Al Ahram,' at least three merchant ship attacks have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the US-Iran war in late February. Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement emphasizing that Iran will continue to control and monitor the Strait of Hormuz until the war is completely over, and all passing ships must obtain Iranian permission and pay passage fees.
The US has also responded strongly, intercepting and detaining the Iranian-flagged freighter 'Touska' in the Arabian Sea to date.
Mina Adel, a senior researcher at the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, said in an interview with 'Al Ahram' on the 22nd that the Iranian Navy was almost completely wiped out in the US-Iran war. Iran has therefore turned to investing in unconventional systems, such as anti-ship missiles, aerial and sea drones, and large numbers of fast attack boats, deploying these equipments in mountain tunnels. In this way, the Iranian Navy does not need to face the US military head-on; while the US military faces a difficult-to-target 'ghost force.'
Adel analyzed that the key for the US to implement a blockade of the strait at this time is that the current situation is still in a ceasefire stage. The US military can deploy relatively safely because Iran is unlikely to risk attacking US warships near its borders during a ceasefire.
The US military currently has three aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East, equipped with F-18 fighter squadrons. Adel believes this deployment suggests the US may have two strategic options. The first is direct continuous airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone launch sites, as well as infrastructure monitoring the strait, to clear threats and protect the safety of the Strait of Hormuz. However, such actions may require ground forces to ensure coastal security and reduce risks when targeting.
The second path is to avoid direct conflict within the strait and instead prioritize striking Iranian critical assets such as energy networks, using continuous precision airstrikes to force Iran to change its position. This is considered the more likely scenario. However, this strategy will require heavy weapons with precision guidance functions to cause significant damage in a short time through continuous airstrikes.
Adel believes that as military confrontation continues to escalate, diplomatic channels are the only viable option for both sides. Adel emphasized that only through diplomatic means can both sides convey messages of victory to their internal audiences, serving as a catalyst for the complete cessation of military operations. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150423