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.
