Sec. Bessent: U.S. Navy Will Escort Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz as Soon as Militarily Possible

Why It Matters

A decision to deploy the U.S. Navy to escort shipping would raise the stakes in an already tense region, with direct implications for global oil flows, shipping insurance and market volatility. It signals deeper U.S. operational involvement and potential coordination with allies to ensure freedom of navigation through a critical choke point.

Summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Sky News that the U.S. is planning for the Navy — potentially alongside an international coalition — to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as it is militarily possible.” He said Iranian and some Chinese-flagged tankers have been transiting the strait sporadically, and that the situation was discussed in the White House Situation Room during his interview. Bessent also disclosed that U.S. war-related costs so far total $11 billion and rejected any single cost threshold that would prompt him to advise stopping the effort. The comments were made during a 50-minute interview interrupted for the Situation Room meeting and will air on the Master Investor podcast.

Original Description

Wilfred Frost, Sky News, reports on a recent conversation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.