Al Jazeera reported King's College London security studies lecturer Rob Geist‑Pinfold said that despite US efforts to restore normal shipping and a memorandum of understanding, Iran's de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz has not weakened and has in fact strengthened since the conflict. He said pre‑conflict traffic ran about 125 vessels a day, and shipping volumes remain noticeably below that level even after recent diplomatic efforts. Gulf states had already been seeking alternative trade ro

Al Jazeera reported King's College London security studies lecturer Rob Geist‑Pinfold said that despite US efforts to restore normal shipping and a memorandum of understanding, Iran's de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz has not weakened and has in fact strengthened since the conflict. He said pre‑conflict traffic ran about 125 vessels a day, and shipping volumes remain noticeably below that level even after recent diplomatic efforts. Gulf states had already been seeking alternative trade routes before the fighting and that shift accelerated afterwards; Iran, through sustained actions, has created faits accomplis, consolidated its influence and deepened strategic entrenchment in the strait, leaving shipping companies with no practical choice but to adapt.