U.S. President Donald Trump said oil companies “should” resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after U.S. forces said they destroyed Iranian mine-laying vessels, even as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for striking the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree in the same waterway hours earlier.
Iranian Strike on Mayuree Naree Highlights Risk in World’s Key Oil ChokepointTrump said U.S. naval operations had significantly weakened Iran’s ability to threaten shipping traffic and signaled confidence that commercial vessels could move safely through the chokepoint again.
“I think they should. We took out just about all of their mine ships in one night… We don’t think so [that mines were laid]. I think you’re going to see great safety,” Trump told reporters when asked whether oil companies should resume transit through the strait.
Trump framed his comments as both reassurance and a nudge to energy companies wary of sending vessels through the region. Weeks of military activity and Iranian threats have rattled energy markets and pushed shipping insurance rates sharply higher.
While Washington presented the naval strikes as a stabilizing move, events unfolding in the same waterway told a more complicated story.
Reported Ship Attacks on the Strait of HormuzThe impact triggered a fire in the ship’s engine room and stern, sending thick black smoke into the sky and forcing the crew to abandon ship.
IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri said the vessel had entered a declared restricted zone and ignored Iranian warnings. In remarks reported by multiple international outlets, Tangsiri said the ship “ignored warnings” and “ended up getting caught,” framing the attack as enforcement of Iranian maritime restrictions.
The incident was not isolated. Maritime security monitors reported that at least three commercial vessels were struck in or near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday alone.
For energy markets, the message is clear: reopening the world’s most important oil artery may be the goal, but the route remains anything but quiet.
FAQ Why is the Strait of Hormuz important to global oil markets? About 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most critical energy routes globally. What happened to the cargo ship Mayuree Naree? The Thai bulk carrier was struck by two projectiles on March 11 in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the crew to abandon ship after a fire broke out. Why did President Trump say oil tankers should use the strait again? Trump said U.S. forces destroyed Iranian mine-laying vessels and argued the operation restored safety for commercial shipping. How are shipping companies responding to the Hormuz attacks? Many shipping firms are rerouting vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding up to two weeks of travel time and higher costs.
