U.S. Steps Up Fight to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The Wall Street Journal's What's News podcast covers a range of developments on this Friday edition, led by escalating U.S. military operations in the Strait of Hormuz amid oil supply risks, alongside regional image efforts in Dubai, a dragging U.S. government shutdown disrupting air travel, and several corporate mergers.

U.S. Military Push to Clear Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. is intensifying operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil traffic. Defense Secretary Pete Heggseth reported that U.S. forces have damaged or destroyed over 120 Iranian naval vessels using low-flying jets and Apache helicopters to target Iranian assets harassing shipping. The effort aims to dismantle a network of mines, boats, and other threats, though experts note it could take weeks for full results given Iran's remaining stockpiles of mines and hundreds of undamaged vessels hidden in coastal tunnels and islands. Saudi officials project oil prices could exceed $180 per barrel if disruptions persist into late next month, an outcome they seek to avoid as it risks consumer cutbacks, recession, or perceptions of Saudi profiteering from the conflict. Saudi Aramco declined comment on the projection.