Iran has imposed a blockade on liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit point for global energy supplies. Traders report that no LNG carriers have been allowed passage for weeks, leading to a significant decline in global LNG exports, which fell to a six-month low in March. The blockade coincides with military actions by the US and Israel against Iran, which has caused traffic through the strait to diminish sharply. While oil tankers continue to navigate the strait with Iranian permission, over a dozen LNG tankers remain idling in the Persian Gulf, unable to secure clearance. This situation has forced countries like Japan and Bangladesh to revert to using coal as an alternative fuel source due to the LNG shortage. President Donald Trump has stated that ensuring freedom of navigation through Hormuz is a priority in negotiations with Iran, highlighting the geopolitical implications of this blockade.