The US has conducted one of its largest wartime operations around the Strait of Hormuz, escorting 40 commercial vessels carrying nearly 18 million barrels of oil through the strategically vital waterway as Washington and Tehran continue to carry out further attacks.
According to US officials cited by CNN, the operation took place on Tuesday and involved a coordinated deployment of American air, naval and space-based capabilities. US forces not only protected the commercial vessels from drone attacks but also launched strikes intended to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in and around the strait.
The scale of the operation highlights the growing importance of the Strait of Hormuz in the Trump administration’s military strategy. Before the conflict erupted more than six months ago, around 20 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway each day, making it one of the most important energy corridors in the world.
During Tuesday’s operation, American forces also intercepted and neutralised anti-ship cruise missiles, according to one US official. The simultaneous use of offensive and defensive capabilities reflected Washington’s effort to keep commercial traffic moving while reducing Iran’s ability to disrupt maritime trade.
The latest operation comes as the Trump administration has increasingly centred its war strategy on the Strait of Hormuz. The US campaign includes attacks on Iranian military positions near the waterway, naval escorts for commercial shipping and a blockade of Iranian ports.
US officials have described the approach as a “full court press” designed to increase economic and military pressure on Iran’s leadership.
On Tuesday alone, the US reportedly struck nearly 60 Iranian military targets in the vicinity of the strait. The targets included air-defence systems, radar installations, maritime equipment, mine-laying capabilities and communications facilities.
American officials have indicated that further strikes are likely because Iran has shown an ability to rebuild damaged military infrastructure. One official likened the strategy to “mowing the grass” or playing “whack-a-mole”, suggesting that repeated attacks may be required to prevent Tehran from restoring its ability to threaten commercial shipping.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House on Wednesday, said the latest US attacks went beyond destroying Iranian radar systems and were intended to significantly reduce Tehran’s ability to monitor maritime traffic.
Trump claimed that Iranian forces had been attempting to track ships moving through the waterway but had lost that capability following the American strikes.
The US President also reiterated his assertion that Washington has control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. He said American forces had demonstrated their ability to strike Iranian military positions along the coastline while simultaneously providing protection to commercial vessels.
Despite the successful passage of the 40 vessels, US officials do not expect the conflict to end quickly. Energy companies and shipping operators also continue to regard the Strait of Hormuz as a high-risk route, even when American military escorts are available.
The continuing uncertainty has already affected international energy markets. Oil prices remain elevated, while concerns over the security of global energy supplies have contributed to volatility in financial markets, including the global bond market.
The developments are particularly significant because any prolonged disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could have consequences far beyond the Middle East. The waterway is a critical transit route for oil and other energy supplies destined for markets across Asia and beyond.
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