Opinion: The U.S. military can clear the Strait of Hormuz, but it requires the cooperation and participation of allies to maintain smooth passage.

BlockBeats News, June 9 — Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. Navy has the capability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but maintaining this critical oil and gas transportation route open for the long term would be costly and require the participation of allies.

Austin previously served as Secretary of Defense in the Biden administration. He said, "The U.S. Navy can certainly reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But maintaining its open state over the long term would come at a considerable cost, so if such a situation arises, we want to see the international community involved. If we reopen the strait, we want allies and partners to be involved as well because freedom of navigation is not only important to the United States but vital to the entire world."

Austin pointed out that Israel's ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon are one of the main obstacles to ending the broader diplomatic efforts to end the war. He hopes to see this situation "de-escalate" so that negotiations can continue.