How 'open' is the Strait of Hormuz? | Global News Podcast| BBC News

When the US agreed its memorandum of understanding with Iran, US President Donald Trump declared, "I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz.... Ships of the world, start your engines."

Two weeks on, the movement of ships - including oil and gas tankers - is nowhere near pre-war levels, and hundreds of vessels are still stranded in the strait. Last week, Iran fired on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship which it said was using an "unauthorised" route through the strait - leading to days of fresh strikes between the US and Iran.

We ask the BBC's Jon Donnison how open the Strait of Hormuz really is, how much leverage Iran can gain with a blockade, and what it means for the ceasefire talks.

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00:00 Introduction 00:59 What does Iran want in the Strait of Hormuz? 01:39 How many ships are getting through the Strait of Hormuz? 03:05 Iran's leverage over the US 04:13 Can there be peace without a Strait of Hormuz deal? 06:10 Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon 07:43 What's next for US and Iran talks?