Jackie Northam

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST: As part of the preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran, President Trump demanded that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened.

People cross the street past a large billboard showing portraits of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (left) and slain Ayatollah

Iran remains defiant against U.S., but stands to rake in billions if a peace deal can be reached.

Iran remains defiant against U.S., but stands to rake in billions if a peace deal can be reached.

For Reporter's Notebook we hear about what it takes to cover conflict over a decades-long career as a foreign correspondent.

For Reporter's Notebook we hear about what it takes to cover conflict over a decades-long career as a foreign correspondent.

President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open, and the U.S., not Iran, will collect tolls.

President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open, and the U.S., not Iran, will collect tolls.

Huntley says officially recognizing Iran as having control of the Strait of Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent because other countries could also claim important waterways.

The reasons given for the U.S. launching a war with Iran have shifted over time. But regardless of why the war started, the fighting between the U.S. and Iran is now largely over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, about a fifth of the world’s oil passed freely through the narrow international waterway. Now Iran controls the strait. We look at this threat to the freedom of navigation and whether it sets a a dangerous precedent for other waterways. This episode is Global Affairs Correspondent Jackie Northam’s last story for NPR, she is retiring. Jackie has covered world events for NPR for decades from nearly every continent and just about every global conflict. You can hear Jackie reflecting on her remarkable career this recent episode of the Consider This podcast.