U.S. to Escort Ships Through Strait of Hormuz After Attacks

WASHINGTON — The United States will begin escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, President Donald Trump announced, following reports of attacks on vessels near the critical waterway that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade.

Trump said the U.S. will "guide" stranded ships from the Iran-controlled strait, according to NPR. The announcement came as two ships in the area reported attacks, though details of the incidents remain unclear.

Strategic Chokepoint Under Pressure

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, serves as the primary route for oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. Any disruption to shipping through the 21-mile-wide channel at its narrowest point can send global energy prices surging and threaten supply chains worldwide.

Iran has previously threatened to close the strait during periods of heightened tension with the West, particularly over sanctions and nuclear negotiations. The Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard Corps controls the northern shore and has conducted military exercises in the waterway.

Scope of U.S. Naval Operation

The Trump administration has not yet detailed the size of the escort force, rules of engagement, or duration of the mission. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, typically maintains a carrier strike group and other vessels in the region.

Previous escort operations in the Persian Gulf have involved destroyers and frigates sailing alongside commercial tankers and cargo ships. During the 1980s "Tanker War" between Iran and Iraq, the U.S. reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers and provided naval protection through the strait.

Recent Attacks and Regional Tensions

The two ships that reported attacks have not been publicly identified, and the nature of the incidents — whether involving mines, drones, missiles, or boarding attempts — remains unconfirmed. Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea in recent years, though the Strait of Hormuz represents a separate theater.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have fluctuated since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term. Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment program, while the U.S. has maintained economic sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports.

Global Energy Market Implications

Approximately 21 million barrels of oil per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2023, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Any sustained closure or military conflict in the waterway would force tankers to take longer routes around Africa, adding weeks to delivery times and substantial costs.

Major energy importers including China, Japan, India, and South Korea depend heavily on Gulf oil shipped through the strait. European nations also receive significant volumes, though alternative pipeline routes through Turkey and the Red Sea provide some redundancy.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The Trump administration has confirmed a U.S. naval escort mission will begin Monday to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz following reported attacks on two vessels. The scope of the operation, identity of the attacked ships, nature of the incidents, and whether Iran or its proxies were responsible have not been disclosed. How long the mission will continue and whether it represents a temporary response or longer-term policy shift also remains uncertain.