Donald Trump is set to announce in the coming days the formation of an international coalition to escort commercial shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as his conflict with Iran enters its third week. US officials told the Wall Street Journal that the White House’s announcement could come as soon as this week, though it remains unclear whether escort missions would begin before an agreement is reached to end the war, which has resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, thousands of Iranian casualties, and the deaths of 13 US service members.
Members of the Trump administration have stated for several days that the US Navy would provide support to commercial vessels attempting to navigate the strategic waterway off Iran’s coast, which has become a key asset in Iran’s efforts to deter the joint American-Israeli military offensive. Iran’s ability to restrict passage through the strait using sea mines and small vessels has strained oil prices, which have spiked as the route was effectively closed. Approximately 20 per cent of the world’s daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the operation began two weeks ago, oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel globally, and the average US petrol price has jumped by more than 70 cents per gallon. Republicans in Congress have publicly and privately urged the White House to take action to mitigate the short-term economic shock to millions of Americans at the start of an election year, with their party already on the defensive in both chambers. However, the president and some members of his party have resisted calls to end the war quickly, hoping to avert longer-lasting supply issues.
Some Republicans have argued that Americans are willing to bear the economic costs of the conflict. “Freedom is not free,” said Republican Kansas Senator Roger Marshall on CNN. “Americans are gonna have to make some sacrifices.” Polling indicates that more than half of Americans oppose the war with Iran, while about four in ten support it.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated last week that the US would soon begin escorting commercial vessels through the strait, though he contended the military was not yet ready. “It'll happen relatively soon, but it can't happen now. We're simply not ready,” he said on Thursday. Wright added on CNN: “We're gonna bring oil to market through other avenues to get through a few weeks of a short-term dislocation... You've gotta go through short-term pain to solve a long-term problem. This is bold leadership from President Trump. This is what the world needs.” On Sunday, pressed by NBC’s Kristen Welker on why the strait remained “effectively closed”, Wright claimed: “Because it’s right near the Iranian shoreline. The world is abundantly supplied with oil and energy.”
