The U.S. Navy won’t provide military escorts in the Strait of Hormuz despite near-daily requests from the shipping industry, according to a published report.
The Navy says that the risk of attacks is “too high,” according to Reuters, and that it is unable to provide escorts for the time being.
The Navy has held regular briefings with shipping and oil industry representatives.
Shipping executives meeting in Connecticut on Tuesday told FreightWaves that Iranian attacks in the strait have marooned an estimated 10,000 ships crews on hundreds of vessels unable to leave the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz – the entryway to the oil-rich Gulf – has been largely closed since the start of the war in Iran. Ten cargo vessels in the region have come under attack in that time.
American and European Union naval forces escorted merchant ships through the Red Sea at the height of Houthi attacks there in 2024 and 2025. But global carriers abandoned recent attempts to return to the Red Sea amid threats from the Houthi after U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
EXCLUSIVE: 10,000 ships crews trapped by Strait of Hormuz blockade
Iran war leads largest shipping line to terminate Mideast Gulf voyages, levy $800 charge
Kelly: U.S. maritime ‘critical’ to national, economic security
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now