Analysts suggest the US naval blockade of Iranian ports is aimed at establishing maritime dominance over a key global energy chokepoint. The action, which began on Monday, has drawn threats of retaliation from Tehran.

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is not a tactic to force China to pressure Iran into a peace deal, according to analysts. Rather, the US aimed to end the war through showing its maritime supremacy over the world’s most vital energy chokepoint, they argued. Washington began to enforce the blockade on Monday, drawing threats of retaliation from Tehran. It remains unclear how fully the blockade can be enforced. The US Navy currently has at least 15 ships in the region, including an aircraft....