US admits it was unprepared for Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz, CNN reports
Illustrative photo: The US underestimated the consequences of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz (facebook.com)
American officials underestimated the risk that Tehran could block the Strait of Hormuz in response to US strikes while planning the military operation against Iran, according to CNN.
According to sources familiar with the internal discussions, the Pentagon and the United States National Security Council did not fully account for the potential consequences of a scenario in which Iran decides to block one of the world’s key oil transportation routes.
Although representatives of the United States Department of Energy and the United States Department of the Treasury took part in meetings during the preparation of the operation, their analytical assessments and economic forecasts did not have sufficient influence on the decision-making process.
According to CNN sources, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright were actively involved in planning the operation. However, US President Donald Trump often relies on a narrow circle of his closest advisers when making national security decisions. As a result, broader interagency discussions about the possible economic consequences of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz were pushed to the background.
The US administration is now trying to mitigate the consequences of the situation, but according to sources, this may take several weeks.
Among the options being considered is escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz with naval forces. However, officials at the Pentagon believe that such a step would be too dangerous at this stage.
The war in the Middle East has now been ongoing for about two weeks. Amid the escalation, Iran blocked the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the key oil transportation routes in the world.
This has caused a sharp rise in global oil prices and increased logistics costs due to higher fuel prices. At the same time, media reports have suggested that Iran may have mined the strait.
Officials at the Pentagon said that if this information is confirmed, the United States could strike Iranian vessels in the region.
