President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that they had better open the Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide chokepoint that controls around 20% of the world's oil supply. This statement was part of a broader effort to counterbalance Iran's claim that it had officially closed the Strait in mid-March. The West has long viewed the Strait as a non-negotiable strategic priority and has responded to Iranian threats with a policy of "freedom of navigation" enforced by military might. This strategy was established during the 'Tanker War' of 1984 when Iran began mining the waterway and attacked commercial vessels, and the U.S. responded by deploying massive carrier strike groups and forming international maritime constructs.