Former NATO analyst says Trump’s proposed Hormuz blockade would need large US force

Former NATO analyst Thomas K. Baker warned that President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a massive military operation. In a statement released on Tuesday, Baker, who served as a senior policy adviser to NATO’s maritime forces, said that blocking the narrow waterway—through which roughly 20 % of the world’s oil passes—would require a coordinated deployment of U.S. naval vessels, aircraft, and support ships, as well as the involvement of allied forces in the region. He added that the operation would be one of the largest U.S. maritime actions in recent history and would carry significant risks of escalation with Iran and other regional actors.

Baker’s remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and Iran over the security of shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf. While the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to “take action” against Iranian influence, the analyst noted that a blockade would not only strain U.S. logistical capabilities but also invite diplomatic backlash from Gulf Cooperation Council members and the European Union. He urged policymakers to consider the broader geopolitical fallout before moving forward with any blockade plan. The statement underscores the complexity of enforcing maritime security in a region where strategic interests and power balances are closely intertwined.