Presumptuous Politics

The U.S. military has quietly helped guide dozens of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.

The mission has provided an alternative route for shipowners seeking to avoid Iranian interference, The New York Times reported Sunday.

U.S. Central Command has coordinated the passage of about 70 commercial ships into and out of the Persian Gulf during the past three weeks, U.S. officials familiar with the effort told the Times.

Officials said many of the vessels traveled with their tracking transponders switched off to reduce the risk of detection while navigating the narrow waterway, which Iran has repeatedly threatened to disrupt.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global commerce, carrying roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply before hostilities with Iran intensified.

The conflict has sharply reduced shipping traffic and contributed to disruptions in energy markets.

According to the report, vessels traveling near Iran's coastline without Tehran's approval face a significant risk of attack from Iranian drones or missiles.

Shipping analysts say the U.S.-coordinated routes appear to keep ships closer to Oman and farther from Iranian-controlled waters.

While more than 100 commercial vessels typically crossed the strait each day before military action against Iran, traffic remains significantly below normal levels.

Even so, the U.S.-coordinated crossings suggest some shipowners are willing to make the journey after weeks of delays that have stranded vessels and crews throughout the region.

 

The American effort also gives shipowners an option that does not require seeking Iranian permission or paying fees demanded for passage through the strategic corridor.

CENTCOM confirmed it continues to work with commercial shipping companies, though it is not currently providing direct naval escorts.

"Though U.S. forces are not escorting, we continue to communicate and coordinate with commercial ships seeking to freely and safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international corridor for regional and global economies," CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said.

President Donald Trump earlier announced "Project Freedom," a military initiative designed to help commercial vessels transit the strait. The operation was later scaled back, but U.S. military officials have continued efforts behind the scenes to assist ships making the crossing.

U.S. officials maintain that Iran's claims of control over the waterway are overstated and have sought to reassure shipping companies that safe transit remains possible with proper coordination.

The guidance effort has been kept largely out of public view, officials acknowledged, partly to prevent Iran from targeting vessels that choose to travel under U.S. direction.

Meanwhile, the United States has increased pressure on Tehran through a blockade targeting ships that have visited Iranian ports. Since mid-April, U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman have redirected 116 vessels, a move that officials say has significantly restricted Iran's oil-export capabilities.

Negotiations over the future of the strait remain ongoing, though U.S. officials said Sunday that Trump has toughened the terms of a potential agreement with Iran that could reopen the vital shipping lane to normal commercial traffic.

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