US military ‘not ready’ to escort oil ships through Hormuz, official says | US-Israel war on Iran News
U.S. Military Unprepared for Oil Ship Escorts Through Strait of Hormuz, Official Says
The United States military is currently unprepared to escort oil ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration stated amid ongoing Iranian efforts to block the vital waterway.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright conveyed this assessment during an interview with CNBC on Thursday. He noted that the ongoing conflict has resulted in a “short-term disruption” in the markets, predicting the war would continue for “weeks, not months.”
Despite Trump’s repeated warnings, Iran has managed to effectively close the strait, which serves as a critical link between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. This blockade has contributed to rising oil prices.
Wright characterized the current crisis as “short-term pain for long-term gain,” asserting that U.S. efforts are aimed at significantly diminishing Iran’s capacity to disrupt the energy market.
Last week, Trump suggested that the U.S. Navy could provide escorts for ships traversing the Gulf; however, Wright clarified on Thursday that such actions could not be implemented at this time. “We’re simply not ready,” he said. “All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities.”
Wright emphasized the need for a decisive and enduring approach to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities, stating, “We don’t want this to be a brush-off for a year or two. We want to permanently destroy their ability to build missiles, to build roads, to have a nuclear program.”
His statements follow comments from Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who declared that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed throughout the duration of the conflict. Khamenei stressed that “the tactic of closing the Strait of Hormuz must also continue to be used.”
The Iranian military has indicated it would “welcome” U.S. Navy escorts for oil ships, suggesting it is prepared to engage U.S. forces in the narrow waterway. On Wednesday, three commercial vessels were attacked near the strait.
Earlier this week, Wright mistakenly claimed on social media that a U.S. Navy ship had escorted an oil vessel through the strait, a statement he later deleted. The White House later confirmed that this assertion was incorrect.
Assurances from U.S. officials regarding the reopening of the strait provided temporary relief to financial markets; however, oil prices have since resumed their upward trajectory.
As of Sunday, oil prices peaked at approximately $120 per barrel, a substantial increase from about $70 before the conflict escalated on February 28. Prices have fluctuated between $80 and $100 in recent days.
While the U.S. maintains a position as one of the world’s largest oil producers and is largely self-sufficient, potential shortages in Asia and Europe have contributed to inflating global prices. According to data from the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. has climbed to $3.60, up from $2.94 last month.
Increasing energy costs could further exacerbate inflationary pressures, potentially impacting the prices of essential goods, such as food.
Despite concerns, Trump indicated on Thursday that rising oil prices might benefit the U.S. economy. “The United States is the largest oil producer in the world, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” he wrote on social media. He added, however, that his primary concern remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and curtailing its destabilizing influence in the Middle East.
Iran, for its part, continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons and has rejected claims that U.S. military actions have significantly disrupted its nuclear program.
