World Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to normal traffic by attacking and threatening to attack ships after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. About a 5th of the world's trade in oil, natural gas typically passes through the strait · The Associated Press · Posted: May 02, 2026 5:41 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago Listen to this article Estimated 5 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. An Emirati patrol boat, left, is near a tanker anchored in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from a coastal road near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on Friday. (Fatima Shbair/The Associated Press) The United States is warning shipping companies that they could face sanctions for making payments to Iran to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The alert, posted on Friday by the U.S.…