The U.S. military is actively assessing strategies to restore the flow of crude oil tankers and cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz as the White House prioritizes the resumption of regional trade. In a briefing on March 10, Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, outlined the Pentagon’s plans to facilitate commercial maritime traffic in the area.
During the briefing, Caine stated, “We’ll look at the range of options to set the military conditions to be able to do that.” This involves evaluating resources, command and control structures, and risk mitigation strategies. He emphasized that the military would present these options to the Secretary of Defense and the President for approval.
Impact of Recent Conflict on Maritime Traffic
Since hostilities began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly diminished. Approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transits this vital chokepoint. As of March 9, the price of Brent crude oil surged to $94.35 per barrel, up from $71.32 just prior to the conflict.
President Trump indicated that the U.S. would respond militarily if Iran attempted to obstruct oil shipments through the strait, stating, “When the time comes, the U.S. Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the strait if needed.” As of now, the U.S. Navy has not yet begun such escort missions.
U.S. Central Command recently confirmed the destruction of 16 minelaying vessels near the strait, a move aimed at securing maritime routes. This comes amid threats from Iranian forces to enforce a closure of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the ongoing attacks.
Shipping Patterns and Insurance Challenges
The conflict has caused a drastic reduction in cargo vessel transits. According to the Joint Maritime Information Center, only 39 cargo vessels passed through the strait between March 1 and 9, down from 98 on February 28. Tanker transits have been even lower, with only 10 tankers recorded during the same period compared to 50 on February 28. Historically, the strait accommodates around 138 vessels in a single day.
Insurance concerns have also played a significant role in the decline of maritime traffic. Dominick Donald, an advisor to the Joint War Committee, noted that the requirement for war risk insurance has complicated the situation. He mentioned that while some ships have managed to secure new policies, the overall risk of attack is prompting many vessels to avoid the strait altogether.
Meanwhile, France and various other nations are coordinating efforts to establish a support mission for merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which French President Emmanuel Macron asserted would commence once hostilities lessen.
As vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, concerns about potential attacks and confusion regarding the ongoing conflict persist. Some oil companies are exploring alternative routes, but these may not match the capacity of the traditional pipelines that traverse the strait.
In addition to the military escort plans, the U.S. has offered up to $20 billion in backing for insurance policies covering shipping in the region. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will act as a reinsurer, providing a level of security not typically available in the current insurance market.
Experts suggest that while military protection may eventually be implemented, the current situation remains fluid and risky. The Iranian military’s capability to disrupt shipping through mines or other means remains a critical concern.
In summary, as the U.S. explores options to secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the situation remains tense. The implications of this conflict extend beyond regional stability, significantly impacting global oil markets and trade routes.
