In May, the US military played a crucial role in coordinating the safe passage of over 100 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that has become increasingly perilous amid escalating tensions with Iran. The New York Times reported that this assistance came from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which previously helped facilitate the passage of 70 vessels. Many of these ships opted to turn off their transponders, highlighting the dangers associated with navigating this waterway. The tensions stem from a military operation initiated by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, which involved strikes on major Iranian cities, including Tehran. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory strikes targeting sites in Israel and US military bases across several countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to vessels linked to the US and its allies, further complicating the already strained maritime security situation as US-Iranian reconciliation talks remain stalled.