GRANTS, N.M. – The Strait of Hormuz remains the center of the Iran war, with U.S. forces working to keep one of the world’s most important shipping lanes open while Iran attempts to reassert control through mines, threats and attacks on U.S. regional partners.
According to the Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project, U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper announced Aug. 27 that U.S. forces had successfully removed mines that Iran previously laid in the strait’s internationally recognized traffic separation scheme.
ISW-CTP reported that the announcement weakened Iran’s ability to maintain the perception that the strait is “closed” and directly challenged one of Iran’s stated war aims: securing control over the waterway.
Mines and U.S. Strikes
According to ISW-CTP, Iran responded by trying to intimidate global shipping firms and reinforce its claim of control over the strait. The IRGC Navy claimed Aug. 31 that sea mines stopped a supertanker attempting to use what Iran called an “illegal route,” but CENTCOM denied that any ships had struck Iranian mines.
ISW-CTP reported that Iran also attempted to redeploy mines Aug. 30. CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after observing the IRGC preparing to launch mines into the strait. ISW-CTP reported that those were the first U.S. strikes in Iran since July 29.
Iran’s Military Pressure According to ISW-CTP, Iran’s methods also suggest its ability to threaten shipping has been degraded.
Iran used shore-based launchers instead of fast attack craft to attempt minelaying, which ISW-CTP assessed may show that Iran sees using those vessels as too risky after U.S. strikes damaged Iranian maritime capabilities.
ISW-CTP also reported that the IRGC may now be using fast attack craft to identify ships by physically approaching them and read- ing their names, rather than relying on coastal radar systems. U.S. officials previously told Axios that CENTCOM’s campaign had limited Iran’s ability to monitor traffic in the southern transit route.
Attacks on U.S. Bases
Iran also responded to the U.S. strikes by targeting U.S. positions and partner countries in the region.
According to ISW-CTP, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at King Hussein and Muwaffaq Salti air bases in Jordan on Aug. 30. The Jordanian army intercepted eight missiles, and U.S. officials said nearly all incoming munitions were intercepted with no significant impacts on the bases.
ISW-CTP reported that Iranian media also claimed attacks on U.S. troops at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE said it intercepted a drone over Emirati territorial waters and denied that Iranian missiles struck the country.
ISW-CTP assessed that Iran is using these attacks to raise the cost of U.S. efforts to restore maritime navigation and isolate Iran economically.
EconomicPressureInsideIran
The war is also tightening pressure inside Iran.
According to ISW-CTP, Iranian foreign trade has fallen by 35 percent and annual inflation has risen to 66 percent. Iran also faces an acute gasoline shortage because the U.S. blockade has limited Iran’s ability to import refined oil and export non-refined oil.
ISW-CTP reported that Iranian officials are increasingly worried that worsening economic conditions could trigger renewed antiregime protests. Iran’s judiciary chief warned Aug. 31 that the judiciary, law enforcement, intelligence services and security forces are at their “highest level of readiness” and would act “more decisively than ever” against people accused of instigating unrest.
The United States is trying to limit Iran’s ability to fund military operations and pressure regional partners, while Iran’s leadership appears willing to tolerate hardship rather than give up its core demands.
IraqandMilitiaDisarmament
Iraq remains a key pressure point.
According to ISW-CTP, some Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are conditioning disarmament on demands that the Iraqi government likely cannot meet, including the full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Iraq and the expulsion of anti-Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from Iraqi Kurdistan.
ISW-CTP assessed that Iran likely pressured those militias to include the Kurdish demand because Tehran views Iraqi Kurdistan as a base for Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and possible Israeli cooperation.
The broader question is whether Iraq can bring armed groups under real state control, or whether Iran-backed militias will continue using impossible conditions to avoid disarmament.
The United States is trying to keep shipping lanes open, protect U.S. forces and support regional partners. Iran is trying to make the strait dangerous enough that commercial shipping, Gulf states and Washington accept Iranian terms.
The war is not only being fought with missiles and drones. It is also being fought through shipping routes, sanctions, fuel shortages, militia pressure and public fear inside Iran.
In Remembrance
The following 17 U.S. service members have been publicly identified as having died in service to our nation during the current conflict. The Cibola County community honors their sacrifice and holds their loved ones, friends, and fellow service members in our thoughts.
Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait — March 1, 2026 Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien Capt. Cody Khork Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan Master Sgt. Nicole Amor Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens Sgt. Declan Coady
Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia — March 1, 2026 Sgt. Benjamin N.
Pennington
Western Iraq — March 12, 2026
Maj. John A. Klinner Capt. Ariana G. Savino Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt Capt. Seth R. Koval Capt. Curtis J. Angst Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan — July 17, 2026
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan Pvt. Isabella Gonzales Sgt Angel S Rampersand Erbil Air Base, Iraq — July 19, 2026 Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton