The US Navy has declined repeated requests from the shipping industry to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war with Iran, saying it is too dangerous to traverse, even as President Donald Trump publicly promises protection for tankers seeking to resume passage, Reuters reported on March 11.

The Wall Street Journal reported that shipping companies had been requesting permission on a daily basis since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28 but their request had been turned down.

Shipping industry sources familiar with the discussions say naval officials told companies during regular briefings that the threat level in the narrow waterway remains too severe to allow escort operations for now.

The point was underlined after three more tankers were hit by rockets on March 11 bringing the total of tankers hit by rockets to a total of 17.

The Straits, which carries roughly one fifth of global oil supplies, has seen traffic collapse since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran more than a week ago. Hundreds of vessels are now anchored or waiting outside the Gulf as operators weigh the risks of transit, contributing to a surge in oil prices to levels not seen since 2022.

“The Navy’s assessment during Tuesday’s briefing had not changed and escorts would only be possible once the risk of attack was reduced,” one of the shipping sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

However, as bne IntelliNews reported a trickle of ships have been able to pass through the Straits to reach customers in the international markets – mainly Greek and Chinese-flagged ships. Separately, oil tankers belonging to Iran’s own shadow fleet are passing through the Straits and Iran is currently exporting more oil than it did pre-war, CNBC reports.

Iran has warned that any attempt to move shipping through the waterway could face military retaliation. A senior official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the strait was closed and that Iranian forces would fire on ships attempting to pass, according to Iranian media. Several vessels have already been struck since the conflict began.

The Iranian Head of the National Security Council, Ali Larijani, called Trump out in defiant televised remarks, saying that Iran would send oil prices up to $200 in defiance of the US assault.

“Tonight we received messages from the US president, through the Omani mediator, requesting that we negotiate a ceasefire. Our response is that we will not accept any negotiations as long as an entity called Israel exists. Not a single litre of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz if it benefits the US, Israel and their allies. Prepare for $200 per barrel.”

Trump, however, has repeatedly indicated that Washington stands ready to provide naval protection for tankers if necessary.

“When the time comes, the US Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the strait, if needed. I hope it’s not going to be needed, but if it’s needed, we’ll escort them right through,” he said on March 9 during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

During the so-called “tanker war” phase of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, US battleships did escort Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Straits in pairs to maintain supplies of oil. However, military analysts say things have changed since then and despite the sophisticated and powerful weapons they carry, the US battleship’s defences run the risk of simply being overwhelmed by swarms of improved Iranian drones. Separately, there are reports that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has begun to mine the straits with naval mines.

US military planners are examining possible options should the White House order escorts to begin. “We’re looking at a range of options there,” General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon.

A US official told Reuters that the military has not yet escorted any commercial ships through the strait. Earlier in the day, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright deleted a post on X in which he had said the Navy had successfully escorted one tanker through.

Security specialists say the challenge of protecting shipping in the narrow channel is considerable. Iran’s ability to deploy naval mines, drones and swarms of fast attack boats could overwhelm escorting vessels even under coalition protection.

The risks were highlighted last week when Iran used a remote-controlled explosive boat to damage a crude oil tanker anchored in Iraqi waters, according to preliminary assessments from two Iraqi port security sources. Trump also claimed that the US has destroyed the Iranian navy, but a video released by the IRGC on March 11 shows underground naval tunnels packed with fast-attack boats, anti-ship missiles, and naval mines.

A maritime security source said fully securing the waterway could require direct control over Iran’s extensive coastline along the Gulf. “There are not enough naval vessels to do that and the risks remain high even with an escort. One or two vessels can be overwhelmed by a swarm (of fast boats or drones),” the source said.

Saudi Arabia’s state oil group Aramco warned on March 10 that prolonged disruption to traffic through the strait could have “catastrophic consequences” for global oil markets.