US media reported a new US approach to ensuring passage of ships through the strait
(Image caption: Generated by Qwen neural network, Vladimir Zlodeyev)
US military personnel are providing covert support to commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, despite ongoing navigation restrictions. This was reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph.
According to the publication, helicopters launched from Omani territory are used to monitor the situation. They survey the waters and are capable of identifying potential threats, including drones and fast-moving boats.
The newspaper claims that dozens of merchant vessels have already received such assistance. Crews must take special precautions: they proceed at reduced speed, and standard navigation aids and transponders are switched off.
Former US Navy officer Bryan Clark told The Telegraph that American forces help about four commercial ships pass through the strait daily. He said the current arrangement differs from the previously announced "Project Freedom" by US President Donald Trump, which was intended to ensure passage for stuck vessels but did not yield the expected results.
Clark noted that the new tactic reduces risks for US forces because it does not require placing warships directly between a potential threat and a civilian vessel.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command states that American troops do not directly escort merchant ships. CENTCOM emphasizes that its role is to maintain communication with crews and coordinate actions in the strait area.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz has remained tense since late February, when Iran declared an effective blockade of the route after the start of the Israeli-US military operation. Later, US President Donald Trump also announced restrictive measures against Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world's most important maritime transport arteries. A significant portion of international energy supplies passes through this route, so any navigation restrictions in the region draw heightened attention from global market participants and international carriers.
