Trump administration has vowed to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz. How would that work?

With oil markets paralyzed by the war between the U.S. and Iran, the Trump administration is weighing a military operation to escort ships through a vital maritime chokepoint — a massive undertaking that experts say could already be in the preparatory stages.

With oil markets paralyzed by the war between the U.S. and Iran, the Trump administration is weighing a military operation to escort ships through a vital maritime chokepoint — a massive undertaking that experts say could already be in the preparatory stages.

Since the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran began two weeks ago, more than a dozen attacks have been reported against oil tankers and other cargo ships in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Iranian officials have openly threatened ships that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the world's oceans.

Fearing attacks, oil tankers have all but stopped transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20% of global oil — with mostly Iranian and Chinese ships making it through. And with nowhere to send their supply, some major Arab oil exporters have cut production. Over the last two weeks, oil prices have jumped around 40% amid worries about a supply crunch.

The disruption has led President Trump to consider offering naval escorts to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, in the hopes that military protection could clear up the gridlock.

"When the time comes, the U.S. Navy and its partners will escort tankers through the Strait if needed," the president told reporters Monday. "I hope it's not going to be needed, but if it's needed, we'll escort them right through."