White House says US hasn't escorted oil tanker through Hormuz

The White House confirmed on March 6, 2026, that the U.S. Navy has not yet begun escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Donald Trump’s public assurances that such measures would be implemented if necessary to restore oil exports. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the administration is prepared to deploy naval escorts “as soon as reasonable” to secure commercial shipping, but a U.S. official clarified that no formal escort mission has been launched. The Strait, a critical energy chokepoint handling 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports, has seen sharply reduced traffic due to Iranian attacks on tankers and elevated war-risk insurance costs.

U.S. oil prices surged 28% to above $86 per barrel this week, while Brent crude climbed 22% to $89, with analysts warning that prolonged disruption could push prices above $100, risking a global recession. Over 400 tankers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, as shipowners avoid transit amid security concerns. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declined to set a timeline for restoring safe passage, stating the Department of War and Department of Energy are “actively calculating” the situation.

Analysts highlight challenges in balancing naval escorts with ongoing military operations against Iran, noting that U.S. assets may be insufficient to both secure shipping lanes and degrade Iranian military capabilities. Iraqi officials reported a 1.5 million-barrel-per-day production cut due to storage constraints, with further reductions possible if the Strait remains blocked. While Trump emphasized the priority of military objectives over short-term energy price volatility, the economic stakes continue to rise as global markets monitor developments closely.