Energy

US Eyes Hormuz Escorts by April as Trump Downplays Oil Spike

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up near the Strait of Hormuz near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11.
Photographer: Altaf Qadri/AP Photo

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By Courtney Subramanian

March 12, 2026 at 12:34 PM UTC

Updated on

March 12, 2026 at 1:59 PM UTC

The US Navy could start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz by the end of this month, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, while President Donald Trump signaled he sees some benefits from the global oil price surge.

Wright said Thursday that US military assets were currently focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and weapons manufacturing, but could shift focus to protecting shipping traffic in the coming weeks.