How the US can blockade the Strait of Hormuz
US forces will be ready to descend from helicopters on to oil tankers
US forces will be ready to descend from helicopters on to oil tankers

US military says no ships pass through its operation to seal off Iranian ports in first 24 hours

Experts say reopening Strait of Hormuz remains most viable option as ideas such as influencing futures market fade

Investing in alternatives to this and other maritime chokepoints is costly but necessary

Threat follows Donald Trump’s announcement that America would ‘guide’ stranded ships through waterway

Disruption to commodities far beyond oil and gas will have a long-lasting impact

Clearing mines from Gulf waterway will take weeks even if US navy receives help from reluctant European allies