Trump announced on Tuesday that the US has taken out 10 Iranian mine-laying ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a crawl, and the US Navy has declined industry requests for military escorts, citing the risk of further attacks in the region.
Shipping companies have been asking for protection almost every day since the start of Operation Epic Fury against Iran more than a week ago. But according to sources familiar with the discussions, the Navy has told industry representatives it cannot safely provide escorts at this time, per Reuters.
Officials have been holding regular briefings with oil and shipping groups about the situation. During those briefings, industry participants have continued to press for naval protection through the narrow waterway, which handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. One source said the Navy’s assessment during a Tuesday briefing had not changed, and escorts would only become possible once the threat environment improves.
The disruption has had major consequences. Shipping traffic through the strait has largely stopped, leaving hundreds of vessels waiting at anchor and cutting off a major route for Middle Eastern oil exports. Global crude prices have surged to levels not seen since 2022. Iran has warned vessels against entering the waterway. A senior official with Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the strait was closed and that Iranian forces would fire on ships attempting to pass, according to Iranian media.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has publicly stated that the United States is prepared to escort tankers if necessary. "When the time comes, the US Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the strait, if needed. I hope it's not going to be needed, but if it's needed, we'll escort them right through," he said Monday during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
US forces have not escorted any commercial ships through the strait. A US official confirmed none have been conducted. Military planners say contingency options are being reviewed. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters: "We're looking at a range of options there."
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco warned Tuesday that continued disruption could have global consequences for energy markets. Security analysts say protecting the strait would be difficult even with international support because Iran could deploy naval mines or swarms of fast boats and drones. "Neither France, the United States, an international coalition or anybody is in a position to secure the Strait of Hormuz," said Adel Bakawan, director of the European Institute for Studies on the Middle East and North Africa.
Trump wrote, "I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!"
The post came after Trump demanded that Iran remove any mines placed in the strait "immediately." He wrote, "If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!"
Shipping companies have been asking for protection almost every day since the start of Operation Epic Fury against Iran more than a week ago. But according to sources familiar with the discussions, the Navy has told industry representatives it cannot safely provide escorts at this time, per Reuters.
Officials have been holding regular briefings with oil and shipping groups about the situation. During those briefings, industry participants have continued to press for naval protection through the narrow waterway, which handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. One source said the Navy’s assessment during a Tuesday briefing had not changed, and escorts would only become possible once the threat environment improves.
The disruption has had major consequences. Shipping traffic through the strait has largely stopped, leaving hundreds of vessels waiting at anchor and cutting off a major route for Middle Eastern oil exports. Global crude prices have surged to levels not seen since 2022. Iran has warned vessels against entering the waterway. A senior official with Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the strait was closed and that Iranian forces would fire on ships attempting to pass, according to Iranian media.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has publicly stated that the United States is prepared to escort tankers if necessary. "When the time comes, the US Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the strait, if needed. I hope it's not going to be needed, but if it's needed, we'll escort them right through," he said Monday during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
US forces have not escorted any commercial ships through the strait. A US official confirmed none have been conducted. Military planners say contingency options are being reviewed. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters: "We're looking at a range of options there."
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco warned Tuesday that continued disruption could have global consequences for energy markets. Security analysts say protecting the strait would be difficult even with international support because Iran could deploy naval mines or swarms of fast boats and drones. "Neither France, the United States, an international coalition or anybody is in a position to secure the Strait of Hormuz," said Adel Bakawan, director of the European Institute for Studies on the Middle East and North Africa.
