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The US Navy is preparing to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
During an interview with Sky News on Friday, Bessent said preparations are underway to provide escorts and that other nations may play a role in them.
“My belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the U.S. Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,” Bessent said.
“There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits,” he continued.
It was reported that Bessent was forced to take a two-hour break from the interview after being called into the White House situation room.
When he returned, he was asked if escorts had been discussed.
“Your words, not mine,” he responded.
Other members of the Trump administration, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have said escorts for tankers will be coming soon.
“It’ll happen relatively soon but it can’t happen now,” Wright told CNBC.
“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 explained.
On Tuesday, Wright deleted a Tweet in which he claimed the US Navy had escorted a ship through the Strait.
President Trump, in an interview on Friday, also said escorts could be used, and added the US military would be “hitting [the Iranians] hard over the next week.”
In a post of Truth Social later on Friday, Trump said the US military “obliterated” all military targets on Iran’s vital Kharg Island oil terminal.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump wrote.
“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.”
The President added that he would change his mind if Iran or any other country interferes with “the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Oil and gas prices have increased significantly as joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran continued this week.
On Wednesday, the Iranian regime warned that oil would hit $200 a barrel—about double its current price—as it launched attacks on three ships near the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of all the world’s oil exports pass.
In the US, a gallon of gas is now averaging $3.63, up 60 cents on the previous month.
President Trump has urged oil companies to continue using the Strait, saying on Wednesday that the US has destroyed all of Iran’s mine vessels.
Despite its attacks on shipping, Iranian representatives have said they have no plans to close the Strait.
