On this episode of Invested, Michael Eisenberg sits down with Ami Daniel, co-founder and CEO of Windward, for a deep dive into one of the most important global trade chokepoints: the Straits of Hormuz. In this urgent conversation, Michael and Ami unpack how the closure and disruption of the Straits of Hormuz could affect the global economy, oil prices, LNG and LPG exports, container shipping, fertilizers, steel, food supply chains, and the future of maritime security. Drawing on Ami’s expertise in maritime AI and naval strategy, he explores why the Strait of Hormuz is far more than an oil story, and why its disruption impacts nearly every country, industry, and consumer in the world. They discuss: Why the Straits of Hormuz matter to global trade How Iran’s actions could reshape shipping routes, energy markets, and maritime logistics The role of naval power, mines, drones, and maritime chokepoints The ripple effects on Europe, Asia, developing markets, and the wider global economy Why this crisis could have lasting implications for inflation, supply chains, and geopolitical stability Ami Daniel is the Co-founder & CEO of Windward, a leading Maritime AI company transforming global trade through predictive intelligence and big data analytics. As a former naval officer, he brings deep maritime expertise and a passion for AI-driven risk management, compliance, and operational optimization. Under his leadership, Windward has pioneered AI solutions for governments, financial institutions, and commercial entities. His insights on maritime AI, sanctions, and supply chain resilience have been featured in major publications, including The New York Times, The Economist, and Financial Times. If you want to understand the intersection of geopolitics, maritime trade, oil markets, shipping intelligence, and global risk, this episode is essential viewing. Please rate this episode 5 stars wherever you stream your podcasts! KEY TOPICS 00:00 - Intro 02:22 - “Not Just Oil” – Everything Is Hit 05:29 - Why Nobody Stopped Iran Earlier 07:40 - Mines, Drones, and Maritime Warfare 09:10 - Can Anyone Actually Reopen Hormuz? 09:20 - $500M Cargo Trips Becoming Normal 10:15 - Suicide Boats vs Global Trade 12:03 - Fuel Shortages Spreading Globally 12:50 - Modern Piracy: Iran’s Cash Playbook 14:30 - Hundreds of Ships Trapped in Gulf 15:40 - “Everything Is Stuck” – Global Supply Shock 19:38 - Why Oil Can’t Be Replaced 21:40 - US Quietly Allows Sanctioned Oil Trade 30:20 - 80% of Iranian Oil Goes to China 41:35 - One Mine Can Shut Global Trade Again RESOURCES Follow Ami Daniel on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amidaniel/ Learn more about Windward: https://windward.ai/ More from Windward research: Iran War at Sea: How the Conflict Is Disrupting Global Trade and Energy Strait of Hormuz Shipping Falls After Insurance Pullback Bulk Carriers Find New Route Out of Hormuz Strait Subscribe to Invested: https://content.aleph.vc/invested Learn more about Aleph: aleph.vc Sign up for Aleph’s monthly email newsletter: https://newsletter.aleph.vc/ Subscribe to Aleph’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aleph-vc/ Follow Michael on Twitter: twitter.com/mikeeisenberg Follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mieisenberg/ Follow Aleph on Twitter: https://x.com/aleph?s=20 Follow Aleph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-vc/ Follow Aleph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleph.vc/ CREDITS Executive Producer: Erica Marom Producer: Sofi Levak, Dalit Merenfeld, Myron Shneider Video and Editing: Nadav Elovic Music and Creative Direction: Uri Ar Content and Editorial: Jackie Goldberg Design: Nimrod Sapir