U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on March 12 that Washington could deploy naval escorts for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as military conditions allow.
In an interview with Sky News on March 12, Bessent said there was “the chance that the U.S. Navy, or perhaps an international coalition, will be escorting oil tankers through,” adding that escort operations would begin “as soon as it is militarily possible.”
He said improving shipping flows through the strait was “a prospect” once U.S. forces achieve air superiority and degrade Iranian capabilities.
“There are, in fact, tankers coming through now. Iranian tankers. I believe some Chinese-flagged tankers have come through. So, we know that they have not mined the straits,” he said….
US Could Deploy Naval Escorts for Commercial Shipping in Hormuz, Bessent Says
