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Why it’s so hard to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

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The Strait of Hormuz is narrow and shallow, forcing ships within miles of Iran’s mountainous shores.

The Strait of Hormuz is narrow and shallow, forcing ships within miles of Iran’s mountainous shores.

ILLUSTRATION: NYTIMES

Agnes Chang, Adina Renner and Samuel Granados

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NEW YORK – Hundreds of oil tankers are idling at either end of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, responding to attacks by the US and Israel, has effectively blockaded it.

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