US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has admitted that the United States is not yet ready to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, walking back President Donald Trump’s March 3 pledge that Navy escorts would begin as soon as possible. Wright stated that all US military assets are currently focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities, adding that the Navy may be in a position to begin escorting by the end of March. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately said that escorts would happen when militarily possible. A basic escort operation would require eight to ten destroyers to shield five to ten commercial vessels, according to maritime specialists at Lloyd’s List — a significant ask given the US has recently decommissioned its Avenger-class mine countermeasures fleet. Iran’s new Supreme Leader has declared the Strait must remain closed, and the Iranian military said it would welcome US Navy escort — signalling readiness to strike US warships directly, as per a report.
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