MC EXCLUSIVE ‘They have realised a prolonged war’: Why US faces challenges and seeks allies in Strait of Hormuz | Iran-Israel conflict

US miscalculation forces allies push in Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on allies to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing war with Iran.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said he had discussed the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron and expressed confidence that Britain and France would support a mission to protect maritime traffic. He also criticised allies for what he described as a muted response.

“For 40 years, we’re protecting you, and you don’t want to get involved,” Trump told reporters, urging other nations to participate “quickly and with great enthusiasm”.

Against this backdrop, Washington’s push for international backing reflects the growing strategic importance of Hormuz as the conflict disrupts global energy flows.

A war with strategic miscalculations

Former ambassador Anil Trigunayat believes the current situation stems from early misjudgements about how the conflict would unfold. “Well, this is a war in which I think there were a lot of miscalculations,” he said, noting that tensions in the region have long been feared due to its strategic sensitivity.

He suggested that the assumption that Iran would quickly collapse under pressure proved incorrect. “USA initially thought that it will be so much easier for them to once they take out the leadership that the country will fall but that has not happened,” he said.

According to Trigunayat, this reflects a broader misunderstanding of Iran’s internal cohesion and capacity to withstand external pressure. “That shows clearly that there is not enough understanding about Iran as a people or a civilisation or its military economic strength,” he said.

Hormuz becomes the central pressure point

Iran had repeatedly warned that it could respond to major attacks by targeting regional assets and restricting passage through Hormuz.

“From the very beginning there will be a state of Hormuz closure,” Trigunayat said, referring to Tehran’s longstanding threats.

With tensions rising, shipping through the strait has become increasingly risky. Insurance costs have climbed, vessel movements have slowed, and global markets are watching closely.

Given that roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas passes through the strait, even limited disruption can have global consequences.

Why Washington is seeking international support

Trigunayat argues that the conflict has now reached a stage where reopening the strait may require collective action. “They have realised that if they continue on the same basis, then it is going to be a prolonged war,” he said.

He added that energy security has become a global concern rather than a regional issue. “Now the energy security of every country is coming under question. Passage of the 20% of the oil and gas going out,” he said.

With commercial shipping companies cautious and insurers reluctant to cover high-risk routes, the practical question becomes how to stabilise maritime traffic. “If the shipping companies and insurance companies are not taking the bet, then what is the option? The option is how to open it,” he said.

A conflict with long-term global consequences

For Trigunayat, the situation highlights the risks of launching military action without a clearly defined end strategy. “This was a war which has been launched without a proper strategy thought,” he said.

While military capabilities are significant, geography limits operational leverage. “USA is fighting this war from 10,000 kilometres… still both are hurting each other,” he observed.

As the conflict continues, the Strait of Hormuz has become not just a regional flashpoint, but a critical fault line for global energy stability. Washington’s renewed outreach to allies underscores how swiftly strategic assumptions can shift when maritime chokepoints and war intersect.