U.S. industry executives operating in the Middle East have repeatedly sought military escorts from the U.S. Navy to safeguard commercial assets amid escalating regional tensions, but these requests remain unfulfilled as of March 2026, according to a CNN report. The denials come despite growing concerns over Iran’s capacity to disrupt critical shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the U.S. administration underestimated Tehran’s preparedness to close the strait—a vital corridor for global oil shipments—in response to potential military strikes. “Current planning did not account for this worst-case scenario,” one executive stated, highlighting gaps in contingency measures.
During recent briefings, U.S. military officials confirmed no orders have been issued to initiate escort operations, leaving commercial interests exposed to “extremely high” risks. A bipartisan former official described the lack of preparedness as “dumbfounding,” noting that contingency planning for such crises had long been a cornerstone of U.S. security policy.
The report underscores mounting pressure on Washington to address vulnerabilities in global trade routes as regional instability persists. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could disrupt energy markets and inflame investor anxieties across Asia and beyond.
