Matthew Koenig

It has revealed this new source of leverage that the rest of the world didn't realize.

It's essential for the Trump administration to make sure that however this ends, it doesn't end with Iran in control of the strait.

In terms of military capability, America has the clear upper hand.

But Iran's control of the strait could be a sticky point of negotiations.

That's Matthew Koenig.

He worked on the Iran portfolio at the Pentagon during the Bush, Obama, and first Trump administrations.

While Trump has downplayed America's reliance on trade through the Strait, Koenig says these negotiations will set a precedent.

He says the stakes are war or peace.

Anusha Mathur, NPR News, the White House.