U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. Navy will begin escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.
The decision follows reports that Iran has offered to reopen the strategic waterway in exchange for concessions on its nuclear program, a proposal that Trump has reportedly rejected.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping route through which nearly 20% of the world's oil flows.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping route through which nearly 20% of the world's oil flows.
The U.S. military's involvement in securing the passage signals a heightened level of intervention in the region, which has seen increased geopolitical tensions in recent weeks.
The move is expected to have implications for shipping insurance costs, freight routes, and energy markets.
The Strait has been a focal point of U.S.-Iran relations, with both sides engaging in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.