Le Monde | Strait of Hormuz: Many questions and few answers after Donald Trump's blockade threats

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Source: Alamy

Louis Borer, Risk Intelligence Senior Analyst, was recently interviewed by Elise Vincent on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, for an article published by Le Monde.

21 April 2026

The original article was published on 13 April 2026 on Le Monde’s website.

In the article, Louis Borer highlights that two US destroyers alone cannot block the Strait of Hormuz, but can maintain pressure in the area. He emphasises that the US presence should be understood primarily as signalling and force projection rather than an ability to control the strait decisively. Louis notes that such deployments help position naval capabilities in the region to respond quickly to different scenarios.

He also suggests that the transit may reflect an attempt to test a selected route and assess Iranian threats, while stressing that effective control of the strait would require sufficient strategic depth to avoid exposure to Iranian fire. For further details on Louis Borer’s insights, the full article can be accessed on Le Monde’s website.

Read the article in French (behind paywall)

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