economy
March 6, 2026
Trump wants U.S. Navy to escort tankers through the Gulf. Why that plan may not work
A backup of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf is disrupting supplies, and will only get worse the longer the Strait of Hormuz is closed.
TL;DR
- U.S. oil prices surged significantly as Iran attacks tankers, disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
- President Trump plans to use the U.S. Navy to escort oil tankers, but experts doubt its sufficiency.
- Global oil prices could exceed $100 per barrel if the Strait remains closed, potentially triggering a global recession.
- Over 14 million barrels of crude per day typically pass through the Strait, a third of global oil exports by ship.
- Hundreds of tankers are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf due to security concerns.
- Analysts suggest that degrading Iran's military capabilities, not just escorts, is necessary to reopen the Strait.
- The U.S. Navy previously escorted tankers in 1987 but was not simultaneously waging war against Iran.
- Iraq has already cut production due to storage issues, and further shutdowns are possible.
- The Trump administration has not provided a timeline for when the Strait will be safe for commercial shipping.
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