U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in an interview with Sky News on the 12th (local time) that the U.S. Navy, in conjunction with international allies, will escort vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz if it is militarily feasible.

"I believe the U.S. Navy will begin escorting vessels along with the international coalition as soon as it is militarily feasible," Secretary Bessent said.

He added that the vessel escort plan would proceed "as soon as we have complete air superiority and the (Iranian) missile rebuilding capability is completely degraded."

The interview was reportedly delayed by about two hours from its original schedule due to an emergency call from the White House summoning Secretary Bessent. The host, Wilfred Frost, pressed Bessent on whether the emergency call was related to the escort of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Secretary Bessent remarked, "In fact, several Iranian and Chinese oil tankers are currently transiting the strait. So, we know they haven't mined the strait."

Frost later told CNBC News, "My impression is that the U.S. Navy, and likely an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through as soon as is militarily possible."

He explained, "What I noted was that Iran has not interfered with vessels passing through the strait, albeit intermittently. And it has been made very clear that the U.S. Navy can step in to assist the passage of vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz with international support."

Attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, and Tehran's retaliatory measures, have heightened regional tensions, paralyzed maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz, and disrupted vital Middle Eastern oil and gas flows, driving up energy prices.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had threatened to block oil shipments in the Persian Gulf if the attacks by the U.S. and Israel did not cease, further escalating tensions for the global economy.

Furthermore, Secretary Bessent revealed that the U.S. has spent $11 billion so far on military operations in Iran, and when asked if there was a limit to this funding, he replied, "Absolutely not."

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated in an interview with CNBC on the same day that U.S. military resources are currently focused on Iranian attacks, making them "not prepared" to provide escort for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"It's likely to be possible in the relatively near future, but it's not possible right now," he said, adding, "All of our military assets are focused right now on destroying Iran's ability to attack and the industrial base that supports that attack capability."

However, he added that it is "highly probable" that such escorts could occur by the end of the month.

By reporter Hong Sung-goo, NNP / Special correspondent for this publication, NNP info@newsandpost.com