US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US Navy is prepared to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, according to Xinhua.
“If needed, the United States Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible,” Trump said in a social media post.
Trump added that he had instructed the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide so-called political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime trade, particularly energy shipments passing through the Gulf.
Strategically located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as the only maritime passage from the Gulf to open seas, making it one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
Iranian media reported that the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had closed the strait to shipping, claiming the vital oil and gas corridor was unsafe following US and Israeli strikes.
The heightened tensions follow a Saturday airstrike by US and Israeli forces that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of his family, senior military commanders, and civilians.
In retaliation, Iran launched multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases across the Middle East.
