Ian Ralby, Senior Fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy and President of Auxilium Worldwide, warned that the conflict between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz cannot be resolved through military means, adding that ongoing fighting will only drive up global fuel and food costs.

One side is willing to continue fighting while the other side is determined to keep trying to undermine and weaken its opponent’s capabilities. This in itself is a formula for ongoing conflict. Unfortunately, it may mean that the Strait of Hormuz faces long-term issues as a navigable waterway. All parties affected by the conflict may push for the US and Iran to resume diplomatic efforts, but changing this dynamic will be very difficult because both sides are unpredictable and have deep-seated interests tied to victory and success. Unfortunately, the US has a very flexible concept of what victory looks like; on the Iranian side, there is now a very clear desire—a need to retaliate in some way for everything that has happened. This is an idea that leads to prolonged violent conflict.