US Halts Plan to Escort Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
Kyodo News
President Donald Trump announced the suspension of a US-led program to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Kyodo News. The move comes amid ongoing Middle East tensions, though Washington has not disclosed specific reasons. The strait is a vital oil shipping route, and the decision could reshape Gulf security.
US President Donald Trump said on May 2, 2026, that the program to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, initiated by Washington, has been suspended.
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, but specific reasons for the halt were not immediately disclosed by the US side.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes, and the US escort operations were previously aimed at ensuring maritime security in the context of confrontations with Iran.
The decision could alter the security situation in the Persian Gulf region, where numerous oil tankers and international cargo ships transit daily.
