US Navy resumes escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz

The United States Navy has resumed convoy escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Wall Street Journal citing naval officials. The move signals renewed American military presence in one of the world's most strategically critical waterways.

The United States Navy has restarted escort operations for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US naval representatives. The strait, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the most vital shipping chokepoints in the world.

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil trade, making it a critical artery for energy markets worldwide. Any disruption to navigation there carries significant economic and geopolitical consequences, particularly for European nations heavily dependent on Gulf energy exports.

The resumption of escort missions comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following recent US-Iran diplomatic and military developments. Washington had previously scaled back some of its direct escort operations in the area, but the latest decision suggests a reassessment of security risks in the strait.