In the wake of Houthi militants disrupting the Red Sea entrance to the Suez Canal in late 2023, a US-led coalition under Operation Prosperity Guardian marshalled an international maritime force, including the UK and France, to provide security and maintain open traffic for the Red Sea approaches to the Suez Canal. Once in place, it has been effective in eliminating the Houthi attacks. While the canal itself is operated by the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority (SCA), the international forces ensure that maritime traffic continues unabated.  

That is a model that should be used in current negotiations with Iran to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to essential oil tanker traffic. The international strategic control of Qeshm Island could ensure free access to the critical waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.

Currently, Qeshm Island is recognized as part of Iran and is under the jurisdiction of Iran's Hormozgan Province. The 1,445 sq km island has been........

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