US Navy may escort ships through Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the United States Navy could begin escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz once the military situation allows.
In an interview with Sky News, the U.S. official said that when security conditions become favorable, U.S. naval forces—possibly together with an international coalition—could ensure the safe transit of vessels through the strategic maritime route, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.
“I believe that as soon as this becomes militarily possible, the U.S. Navy, perhaps together with an international coalition, will escort ships through the strait,” Bessent said.
According to him, tankers are still currently passing through the strait, including Iranian oil tankers and vessels sailing under the China flag.
“In fact, tankers are already passing now—Iranian tankers, and as I understand it, some under the Chinese flag have also passed. That means we know the strait is not mined,” the U.S. official said.
Earlier on Thursday, Chris Wright, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, said in an interview with CNBC that the immediate escorting of oil tankers by the United States is not yet possible.
“This will happen relatively soon, but not now. We are simply not ready,” Wright said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime routes for global oil transport, with a significant share of oil exports from Persian Gulf countries passing through it.
