During the Iran–Iraq War, both sides attack neutral oil tankers transiting the strait. The US Navy launches Operation Earnest Will to escort Kuwaiti tankers; Iran mines international shipping lanes. USS Samuel B. Roberts is nearly sunk by an Iranian mine, triggering the largest US naval battle since WWII.

USS Vincennes shoots down an Iranian civilian Airbus A300 over the strait, killing all 290 people aboard — including 66 children. The US pays $61.8 million in compensation but never formally apologizes. Iran vows it will "never forget."

As the US and EU impose sweeping oil sanctions over Iran's nuclear program, Iran repeatedly threatens to mine and close the strait. The US deploys additional carrier strike groups. Iran backs down — but the pattern is set: closure threats as leverage, US naval presence as the counter.

A series of attacks on oil tankers near Hormuz are attributed by the US, UK, and allies to Iran. Iran shoots down a US surveillance drone, claiming it crossed into Iranian airspace. Iran seizes the British-flagged Stena Impero after the UK detains an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. The world's oil markets spike.

A US drone strike kills IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad airport on President Trump's order. Iran fires 16 ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq. The world watches Hormuz for closure. Iran pulls back — but promises revenge "at a time of our choosing."

The IRGCN seizes or boards multiple merchant vessels, claiming customs violations. Iran advances uranium enrichment to 60% purity — a short technical step from weapons-grade. Nuclear deal talks with the Biden administration collapse without an agreement.

Following an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Iran launches its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory: over 300 drones and ballistic missiles. Israel, the US, and allies intercept nearly all of them. Regional escalation fears spike; Hormuz is on every analyst's map.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen seize the Galaxy Leader cargo ship and launch hundreds of attacks on Red Sea shipping, forcing major carriers to reroute around Africa. Iran denies direct operational control. Global trade is disrupted on a scale not seen since the Suez Crisis era.

President Trump returns to office and immediately reinstates "maximum pressure" on Iran: sweeping oil sanctions, financial isolation, and explicit threats of military force if Iran advances toward a nuclear weapon. Iran vows it will not be "blackmailed."