U.S. Military Escorts Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command has guided about 70 commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz in the past three weeks. The assistance comes as traffic stays well below pre-war volumes and Iran continues to operate a separate lane along its coast.

The U.S. route lies closer to Oman’s coast and avoids the IRGC-controlled corridor. Ships using the U.S. lane have been advised to turn off their Automatic Identification Systems to reduce detection. Central Command stated it is providing navigational advice rather than formal escorts, using radar, drones, and other monitoring tools.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has charged tolls on vessels granted permission and attacked ships that crossed without authorization. On Monday the IRGC reported that 15 ships, including four oil tankers, passed through its lane. Maritime data from Kpler showed 895 transits between March 1 and May 19, with just over half using Iran’s route.

Last month the IRGC launched attacks into the Gulf and attempted to lay new mines. U.S. forces responded by destroying Iranian boats and striking missile sites. Over the weekend, U.S. forces disabled a vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade and conducted self-defense strikes in Goruk and on Qeshm Island.

After an Iranian downing of a U.S. drone, fighter aircraft destroyed Iranian air defenses and two attack drones. On Monday the U.S. said it intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in Kuwait.