Late February, the US and Israel jointly launched a wave of devastating bombing raids against Iran. During the last seven days, American and Iranian forces have once again exchanged attacks, with US airstrikes focusing on military installations near the strait. The scale of these strikes is far smaller than the peak of the conflict, when urban centers faced relentless bombardment.
Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, so any interruption there could have severe ripple effects. The failure of the interim peace deal has heightened concerns that tanker traffic could again be threatened, potentially driving up global fuel costs.
The specifics of Graham's funeral arrangements have not been made public yet. The main purpose of the trip is to seek a meeting with President Donald Trump.
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Neither the White House nor Netanyahu's office would comment on the trip. Israeli media outlets have also reported on the trip. A source familiar with the talks stated, "American and Israeli representatives are communicating to arrange a meeting." No official meeting has been confirmed at this point.
The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has been lengthy and at times rocky. However, friction emerged when Trump began pursuing a truce deal.
An Israeli official said, "We would resume active combat if Iran attacks Israeli soil," an escalation that could push the situation back toward a comprehensive war.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint because of its strategic role in global energy markets. Netanyahu's trip is also an opportunity to reaffirm the alliance at a time when tensions with Iran threaten to spiral, and to address the personal rift that emerged after Trump's angry outburst.
The strait has a long history as a theater of confrontation. During the 1980s, the Iran-Iraq War saw repeated attacks on oil tankers in the waterway, drawing the U.S. Navy into escort operations. More recently, in 2019, attacks on tankers and the downing of an American drone nearly sparked open conflict. The current breakdown of the ceasefire revives those risks, heightening anxiety in global oil markets.
Both leaders face domestic pressures - Trump eager to avoid a wider war before an election, Netanyahu navigating a fragile coalition - that will shape any meeting's outcome. The memorial for Senator Graham, a staunch ally of Israel, adds a layer of solemnity to the visit, but the primary goal is restoring direct dialogue between the two capitals.
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