Politics Iran War: U.S. Navy will escort vessels through Strait of Hormuz as soon as 'militarily possible,' Bessent tell

[nitpicked]

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/12/iran-war-us-navy-strait-of-hormuz-oil-bessent.html

Politics
Iran War: U.S. Navy will escort vessels through Strait of Hormuz as soon as ‘militarily possible,’ Bessent tells Sky News

The U.S. Navy will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as “militarily possible,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Sky News on Thursday.

“That was always in our planning, that there’s the chance that the U.S. Navy or perhaps an international coalition will be escorting oil tankers through,” Bessent said in that interview.

“It is my belief that as soon as it is militarily possible, the U.S. Navy and perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,” he said.
(snip)
“It is a prospect as soon ... we have complete control of the skies,” Bessent said.
(snip)

[hatrack]

1. I'm sorry, the Treasury Secy is the new military spokesman and a freshly minted ME expert?

Fucking spare me.

[Esox Lucius]

2. So glad that we're no longer policing the world

[Ilikepurple]

4. It's funny hardly any media notices that they are often getting info from the wrong cabinet person

They’ll all run defense and deflection for each other. “ That was always in our planning, that there’s the chance”? Recognizing that there was a chance does not constitute planning. Also, “ It is my belief that as soon as it is militarily possible, the U.S. Navy and perhaps with an international coalition”, a lot of hedging here. Not even “I’ve been told” or “we have an international coalition lined up.” The actual information in these statements is so low that it’s only report worthy for its lack of any new definitive information. I guess CNBC is doing their part to keep the hope alive.

[617Blue]

6. It was another attempt at market manipulation.

[nitpicked]

7. Worked slightly

Trimmed a dollar-plus off the 1512 WTI price.

At this moment.

[nitpicked]

12. 1600 (at this moment)

Back up to 96.55

[leftstreet]

9. Hedge Fund Managers have opinions, too!

You're hurting his feels

[nitpicked]

8. Came close in 1988

With FFG 58 Samuel B. Roberts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Samuel_B._Roberts_(FFG-58)

[617Blue]

5. Why is Treas Sec commenting on this? It's also a meaningless statement.

[Volaris]

16. Because no one in even Trumps military is dumb enough to try and bluff Iran on this?

[Goonch]

10. ;-{).....

[leftstreet]

11. LOL

I shouldn't laugh at the situation, but

[OC375]

13. So, a protection racket?

[Prairie Gates]

14. Just getting reports on potential Navy operations from the Secretary of the Treasury

You know, very normal stuff going on.

[democratsruletheday]

15. Bessent is a such a clown....

even in the huge Trumpler circle of clowns. Send in the clowns...they're already here.

[Liberal In Texas]

17. The tankers aren't going to be boarded by pirates. How are they going to protect them?

Drones can swoop in for very far away and hit a ship and a naval vessel can't do a thing about it.

[NickB79]

18. US naval ships can in fact shoot down drones quite well

It's what the CIWS Phalanx gun system is designed to do; destroy anything within 2-3 miles of the ship with a barrage of 20mm shells. Missiles, drones, helicopters, small watercraft.

[BannonsLiver]

19. This is the military equivalent of Trump's health plan being released in "two weeks" almost a decade ago now.

[Buns_of_Fire]

20. Of course, as soon as it's "militarily possible" it'll no longer be "militarily necessary".

The manly-man Defense Secretary must've been too hung over to deliver the message himself.