Safe passage through Strait of Hormuz now requires military force, says US energy secretary

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz currently requires the use of military force, noting that the US Navy is assisting many vessels in transiting the strait.

In an interview with CNN, as reported by Asharq, Wright stated, "We are cooperating with some shipping fleets that wish to pass through," adding that "Iranian ships do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz at all, and this is a ticking time bomb for their economy." 

Wright continued: "We are helping many ships to cross, but it currently takes military force to do so. We are not at pre-war levels."

According to the Associated Press, US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins today denied Iranian media reports that a US vessel had been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them "an outright lie."

Earlier today, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three ships, and boarded two others to enforce the maritime blockade on Iran.

According to a CENTCOM statement on X, "A US F-35A stealth fighter is patrolling above territorial waters, while CENTCOM continues to enforce the maritime blockade on Iran."