March 12, 2026
Why naval escorts through Strait of Hormuz are so risky
Rose Kelanic, the Middle East director at the Defense Priorities think tank, said such a mission would be a risky and difficult military problem for a variety of reasons.
With drones and missiles launched at such close range from shore, “it’s very hard to intercept them before they hit whatever they’re firing at,” she told The Hill.
Mines are also a significant threat, as military vessels like destroyers can be far more damaged than a tanker should it hit one.
“It’s kind of counterintuitive, but in a bunch of ways military assets are actually easier to destroy than tankers are,” Kelanic told The Hill.
More on Middle East
Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh
April 22, 2026
Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh
April 19, 2026
Featuring Daniel Davis
April 19, 2026
