Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, has expressed optimism that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen in the next two months, which would allow oil supplies to return to normal levels. He stated that this reopening would likely lead to a sharp decline in energy prices, subsequently putting downward pressure on inflation and potentially allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Prior to the US-Iran conflict that escalated on February 28, over 100 commercial vessels, primarily oil tankers, traversed the strait daily. However, shipping traffic has drastically decreased to single digits, with only seven ships passing through in the last 24 hours, compared to the normal flow of around 140 vessels. The situation remains precarious as shipping companies and insurers are hesitant to navigate the strait due to security concerns, and Iran's increased control over the waterway has led to speculation about transit tolls, possibly in cryptocurrency.