General Joseph Votel asserts that Iran directly links the political and security situation in Lebanon to the ongoing conflict dynamics in the Persian Gulf.

General Joseph Votel believes that while the U.S. has enough military assets in the Middle East to begin some escort missions, a full-scale operation would severely limit its ability to conduct other ...

General Joseph Votel estimates that a mass escort mission for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz would require the commitment of 15 to 20 U.S. Navy destroyers.

General Joseph Votel, former US CENTCOM commander, stated that Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as strategic leverage in its wider confrontation.

The United States is conducting negotiations with Iran through intermediaries, with Pakistan having served as an interlocutor for several weeks and Qatar having recently joined the effort.

The main shipping transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz are approximately 2 miles wide.