Trump wants Navy escorts for tankers in the Gulf. Why it may not work
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump has pledged to use the U.S. Navy to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating conflict with Iran, aiming to ensure safe passage for vital oil shipments.
- Oil prices have surged sharply, with U.S. crude rising 28% to over $86 a barrel and Brent crude up 22% to $89, driven by attacks on tankers and the resulting paralysis of traffic through the Strait.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, handling about one-third of global seaborne oil exports, but current naval resources may be insufficient to escort the roughly 100 tankers that normally transit daily, especially with 400 vessels currently trapped.
- Analysts warn that prolonged closure could push
