US Navy not ready: Team Trump's U-turn on oil tanker escort through Hormuz

In a U-turn from his earlier claim, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US Navy is not yet ready to escort commercial oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most sensitive maritime choke points for global energy supplies.

In Short

• US admits unready to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
• Navy lacks operational readiness for escort duties
• Earlier claim of escort was retracted by US Energy Secretary

The Donald Trump administration has admitted that it is not yet ready to escort commercial oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most sensitive maritime choke points for global energy supplies. The admission came from US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who said the US Navy currently lacks the operational readiness to provide such protection as its military remains focused on ongoing strikes against Iran’s offensive capabilities.

The statement marked a clear U-turn from his earlier claim. In a now deleted post on X, the US Energy Secretary had said the US Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure global energy supplies continued flowing.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Chris Wright said, "The US Navy is not ready to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz."

"It’ll happen relatively soon but it can’t happen now. We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities," he added.

Despite the current limitations, he indicated that the Pentagon is actively preparing for the possibility of escort operations in the near future.

"I’ll be over at the Pentagon later today -- that is what the military is working on," the Energy Secretary said.

When asked whether the US Navy could begin escorting ships by the end of the month, Chris Wright replied: "Quite likely yes."

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy routes, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has fuelled global energy prices.

IRAN DENIES US ESCORT CLAIM

Iran had also rejected the earlier claim that a US naval escort took place. A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards dismissed the assertion and warned that Iranian forces would confront any US naval movements in the region.

"The claim that an oil tanker escorted by the US terrorist army passed through the Strait of Hormuz is a complete lie," said Alimohammad Naini in comments reported by Iranian state media.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it could target vessels travelling through the strategic waterway if hostilities escalate further.

OIL MARKETS JITTERS

The growing instability around the Strait of Hormuz has already rattled global energy markets. Brent crude, the international oil price benchmark, briefly touched $100 per barrel earlier Thursday. The price surge reflected fears that continued attacks on commercial vessels could disrupt oil flows from the Middle East.

Energy traders and shipping companies have become increasingly cautious about sending tankers through the narrow passage. Some vessels have delayed their journeys or altered routes as insurance costs and security risks climb.

Any prolonged disruption could have serious consequences for energy-importing countries, particularly in Asia, where economies like India depend heavily on Gulf oil supplies.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies