Nearly six months after the United States and Israel began war with Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under Iranian action, according to the report. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said vessels owned by the United States, Israel or their allies would be considered legitimate targets. The crisis has included a sunken tugboat, nearly a dozen sailors dead or missing, and disruption in a route carrying about one-quarter of seaborne oil.

The report says US strikes targeted Iranian ballistic-missile infrastructure and drone sites, while Iran used drone attacks on commercial vessels and laid sea mines. By April, US Central Command said dozens of ships had been stopped and several seized, with Washington estimating daily Iranian losses of about $500 million. Iran nevertheless has not reopened the passage on US terms and in May created a “Persian Gulf Strait Authority.”

Iran demands an end to the US naval blockade and sanctions, a full US military withdrawal from the region, war compensation, and release of seized Iranian assets. Oman has not supported Tehran’s unilateral claim, as the strait’s waters are divided between Iran and Oman. The report also describes prolonged deployment pressures on US naval personnel and says Gulf states are expanding alternative security and economic relationships.