WASHINGTON — More than six months into the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz remains locked in what analysts describe as a lethal stalemate, with the U.S. military continuing to escort oil tankers through the vital waterway even as Iranian attacks continue killing sailors and deterring shipping companies from the route.

The U.S. military has spent months working to protect tankers carrying Persian Gulf oil through the strait from Iranian attacks. But last week, a Saudi vessel attempting to transit the strait was struck near Oman's coast, killing two crew members, according to The New York Times. Two other sailors died in separate attacks during August, making it the deadliest month for merchant seamen in the strait since March. At least 23 ships were struck in the waterway across July and August combined.

On Saturday, the United States struck three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for what American officials described as unprovoked attempts by Iran to attack two U.S. warships.

Eugene Gholz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on conflict in the strait, said the current standoff reflects a rough balance of power between the two sides, neither of which has been able to fully impose its will on the waterway.

"The strait is neither fully closed nor fully opened," Gholz said. "Iran can't close it completely, and the U.S. can't open it completely."

The U.S. tanker protection effort, which involves intercepting Iranian drones and missiles before they reach commercial vessels, has helped move........

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