So long as Iran is moving its vessels through the region, Iran has an incentive to keep the Strait of Hormuz open at least to some degree, said James Lightbourn, shipping financier and founder of Cavalier Shipping, maritime investing and advisory business.
"If the U.S. were seizing tankers, it would give Iran less to lose by shutting the strait entirely (such as with mines)," Lightbourn said.
While there aren’t many US-headquartered shipping companies left, “there’s a substantial amount of American capital embedded throughout the industry,” said James Lightbourn, founder of Cavalier Shipping.