⚓ When the Strait Narrows

“The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow place with outsized significance. I know that because I’ve sailed it.”

Iran’s recent threats to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have reignited global concern. Nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply moves through this critical chokepoint, making it one of the most economically strategic waterways in the world.

For many, the Strait is just a line on a map. For me, it’s a place of duty, tension, and vigilance—I served there during Operation Earnest Will, the U.S. Navy’s escort mission in the late 1980s.

🛳️ Operation Earnest Will: A Mission of Protection

From 1987 to 1988, I was part of Operation Earnest Will, a mission designed to protect Kuwaiti oil tankers that were reflagged under the U.S. banner during the Iran–Iraq War. At the time, Iran was actively targeting shipping in the Gulf, using naval mines, missile strikes, and fast-attack boats to assert control and spread instability.

Our mission was to maintain open lanes for global commerce and deter aggression in one of the world's busiest and most volatile waterways. You can read more about the mission here:

👉 Operation Earnest Will – Wikipedia

🚢 Crowded Waters and Constant Vigilance

The Strait of Hormuz isn't just narrow—it's congested. A steady flow of oil tankers, fishing vessels, commercial ships, and military craft make the passage daily. During my deployment, one of the most persistent challenges wasn’t a direct threat—it was the risk of misidentification.

In an environment where every vessel could be a potential threat, the margin for error was razor thin. Was that fishing dhow just drifting, or was it observing us? Was that fast-moving blip a smuggler—or something worse?

Delays in making the right call could be dangerous. But acting too soon, or on bad information, risked tragic mistakes. We trained rigorously to interpret subtle behaviors, distinguish friend from foe, and keep a clear head in a sea of ambiguity.

🌍 The Strait Then and Now

The stakes in the Strait haven’t changed much since those days. Iran’s latest threats reflect a familiar strategy: using geography as leverage. Even without firing a shot, the mere suggestion of disruption sends ripples through oil markets, military commands, and political circles.

But this isn’t just regional politics. It’s about whether one nation can control a global artery. And that’s why the principle of freedom of navigation matters.

✈️ Why Freedom of Navigation Still Matters

When we were patrolling those waters, we weren’t just protecting tankers—we were upholding a foundational global value: that the seas are open, not owned. That international commerce can flow without fear. That no single nation can choke off access to critical infrastructure that affects billions of lives.

That’s still worth defending.

🛡️ A Mission That Endures

Today’s sailors face a more complex environment—drones, cyber threats, hypersonics. But the mission hasn’t changed. Just like we did during Operation Earnest Will, modern naval forces stand ready to ensure that vital shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz stay open, safe, and free from coercion.

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