Iran continues to hold a strategic advantage over the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a CNN report, as the critical waterway remains effectively closed for nearly four weeks, disrupting global energy flows.

The strait, a vital artery for about 20 per cent of the world’s oil and natural gas as well as key fertiliser supplies, has seen traffic grind to a halt, fuelling volatility in global markets.

Despite diplomatic efforts and rising military pressure from US President Donald Trump, the CNN report says Tehran retains the upper hand due to a combination of geographic advantage and unconventional warfare tactics.

Iran’s deployment of low-cost drones, naval mines and fast-attack vessels has sharply increased risks for commercial shipping, complicating efforts by the United States and its allies to secure the route.

The geography of the strait remains a decisive factor. At its narrowest point, it is just 24 miles wide, with vessels confined to two tightly restricted shipping lanes.

Nick Childs, a senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security, told CNN the waterway is a “chokepoint” with no alternative route, leaving ships with minimal room to manoeuvre.

Analysts cited in the report describe the corridor as a potential “kill zone,” where warning time for attacks can be reduced to seconds, allowing Iran to monitor and strike targets with relative ease.

Iran’s nearly 1,000-mile coastline along the northern Gulf further strengthens its position. The terrain, including mountains, valleys and offshore islands, enables mobile missile systems to be concealed and redeployed, making detection difficult.

While US forces have degraded parts of Iran’s conventional naval capability, the report notes that the greatest threat now comes from unconventional systems such as drones, small high-speed boats and unmanned explosive vessels.

Iran has carried out attacks on at least 19 vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Even without sustained strikes, the persistent threat has been enough to deter most commercial traffic.

Tehran has said “non-hostile” vessels may pass through the strait if they coordinate with Iranian authorities.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, at least 16 vessels have crossed the waterway, including one that reportedly paid around $2 million in fees, while some tankers used false identities.

The blockade has also created a mounting backlog. Nearly 2,000 ships remain stranded in the Gulf, according to the International Maritime Organisation, and analysts warn it could take considerable time to clear congestion even if traffic resumes.

The United States, along with allies including the United Kingdom, France and Bahrain, is working on plans to safeguard shipping, including potential naval escorts for oil tankers.

However, experts say any such effort would require a complex, layered defence system involving surveillance, mine-clearing and coordinated naval operations.

Washington has also increased its military presence in the region, deploying additional forces and naval assets, while maintaining that ground operations inside Iran are not currently planned.

Trump has warned of further strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure if the blockade continues, signalling the risk of further escalation.

Iran, meanwhile, maintains it is not engaged in direct negotiations with the United States, though it acknowledges indirect exchanges through intermediaries, leaving the crisis without a clear resolution.