60 Targets Struck, 18 Million Barrels Protected: The US Military's Record Day in the Strait of Hormuz

The US military has struck 60 Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz while escorting 40 commercial vessels carrying 18 million barrels of oil through the waterway, in its largest wartime escort operation since the conflict began.

The US military carried out its largest wartime escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, guiding 40 commercial vessels carrying approximately 18 million barrels of oil through the strategic waterway while simultaneously striking 60 Iranian military targets around the strait. "US forces used a combination of air, sea and space assets during Tuesday's operation," according to US officials cited by CNN. The military defended the ships against waves of drone attacks and neutralized anti-ship cruise missiles during the escort mission. The operation marks a significant escalation in the US effort to keep commercial traffic moving through the strait while targeting Iran's military capabilities in the area. Before the war began, approximately 20 million barrels of oil a day passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

60 Targets Struck

The escort mission was conducted alongside a major US strike operation that hit nearly 60 military targets around the strait, including air defence sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications facilities.

"They were trying to see the ships. They can't see it because they have no radar, because we blew it up, and we blew up much more than their radar last night," President Trump said from the Oval Office, commenting on the strikes.

The US military expects to continue offensive strikes near the strait, with officials describing the campaign as "mowing the grass" or a game of "whack-a-mole," aimed at repeatedly degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.

A Controversial Name Change Suggestion

Amid the military escalation, Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait," stating on his Truth Social network: "Now that we have it under USA control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!"

The suggestion follows Trump's earlier renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" amid the trade war with Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America.” Iran has effectively shut down the chokepoint, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes, in retaliation for the war.

Shipping Industry Remains Wary

Despite Tuesday's successful operation, energy companies remain cautious about sending ships through the strait even under military protection. The cost of chartering an oil tanker through the strait has surged, with some estimates placing it above $500,000 per day. Most, if not all, of the 40 vessels escorted on Tuesday turned off their transponders to avoid detection. The US blockade has prevented Iran from exporting any oil since July, according to US officials. However, the US military acknowledges that an end to the conflict is not close, and Iran has demonstrated an ability to reconstitute its military capabilities, requiring persistent US efforts to degrade its ability to threaten commercial shipping.

Here is the question this operation raises. The US military has struck 60 Iranian targets and escorted 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, while President Trump floats renaming the waterway after himself. When a president uses military operations and territorial name changes to project strength, does it demonstrate control or reveal the limits of American power in a conflict with no end in sight?

FAQ:

Q: How many targets did the US military strike near the Strait of Hormuz?
A: The US military struck nearly 60 Iranian military targets, including air defence sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications facilities.

Q: How many vessels and how much oil did the US escort through the Strait of Hormuz?
A: The US escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying approximately 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Q: What did President Trump say about renaming the Strait of Hormuz?
A: Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait," claiming the US now has it under control.

Q: Are oil tankers still at risk in the Strait of Hormuz?
A: Yes. Energy companies remain cautious about sending ships through the strait despite US military escorts, with charter costs exceeding $500,000 per day and insurance costs remaining high.

Q: Has Iran been able to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz?
A: No, the US blockade has prevented Iran from exporting any oil since July, according to US officials.