US Naval Operations in Strait of Hormuz Follow Iran's Closure Declaration and Ship Attacks

By Staff Reporter

In response to Iran's declaration of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026, and subsequent attacks on merchant shipping, the United States has deployed naval assets to the region amid escalating tensions under Operation Epic Fury. Iran stated it was closing the strait, attacked at least 16 merchant vessels—damaging 16, sinking one tugboat, and resulting in 12 seafarer deaths and one port worker fatality—and laid mines, which contributed to a sharp decline in ship transits from around 140 per day prior to the incidents to much lower numbers.

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would implement a “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz. Retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who began his career commanding tanks, consulted naval officers—both American and allied—who have commanded ships in the strait. These experts described the operational challenges in terms accessible to an Army perspective, likening naval tasks to combined arms maneuvers on land.

Reports indicated that two U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), entered the Strait of Hormuz. While some accounts suggested this movement was to clear mines, destroyers are not primarily designed for mine countermeasures. Specialized minesweepers handle surface contact mines and seabed acoustic signatures. Destroyers focus on intelligence collection, air and missile defense, battlespace control with aircraft, and protection of higher-value assets, enabling mine countermeasures units to operate.

The naval officers consulted by Hertling indicated that such destroyer deployments could support broader operations. In Army terms, they compared destroyers to forces securing a breach for engineers, rather than conducting the breaching themselves.

The U.S. Navy has long collaborated with allies on mine countermeasures, particularly in confined waters like the Persian Gulf. The United Kingdom's Royal Navy maintains mine warfare ships in Bahrain. France deploys minehunters and divers. The Netherlands and Belgium lead in unmanned mine countermeasure systems. Germany and Italy contribute expertise in littoral operations. These allies' participation is key to clearing and securing passage. Political, legal, or strategic considerations have led some allies to hesitate in joining certain operations, potentially increasing demands on U.S. forces.

Naval experts described a blockade as a multifaceted mission, akin to a division-level operation involving simultaneous intelligence gathering, planning, shaping actions, enemy suppression, force protection, sustainment, and maneuvering.

Key phases include:

1. Suppressing threats: Neutralizing Iranian fast-attack craft, coastal missile batteries, drones, submarines, and mines. Continuous mine-laying by Iran would require ongoing countermeasures, as seen in prior incidents where mines reduced transits.

2. Protecting forces: Destroyers like the Michael Murphy and Frank E. Petersen Jr. provide layered air and missile defense, anti-surface warfare, and command-and-control across the maritime area.

3. Interdicting shipping: This involves identifying vessels, halting them, boarding, inspecting cargo, and diverting as needed. It requires ships, helicopters, boarding teams, overhead aircraft, and persistent presence, while managing vast ocean areas.

Reports distinguish between Trump's public statements, which referenced a “blockade,” and the emerging mission: reportedly limiting efforts to blocking access to Iranian ports while permitting neutral shipping transit. A port-specific blockade is considered challenging but feasible. A full strait closure—controlling all traffic through this vital chokepoint carrying 20-30% of global oil—demands far greater resources.

Current U.S. naval presence includes about 15 warships: aircraft carrier strike groups with destroyers, cruisers, and logistics vessels, plus amphibious ships. For a limited Iranian port blockade, this provides a baseline: air cover, destroyers/cruisers for defense and control, patrol vessels for interdiction, amphibious platforms for boardings, mine assets, logistics, reconnaissance, and intelligence.

Trump stated on Monday, according to reports, that “34 Ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday [Sunday], which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began.” This figure contrasts with pre-Operation Epic Fury averages of nearly 140 daily transits, reflecting the impact of Iran's actions.

Expanding to a full strait blockade would require outer screens in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf, traffic lane control, persistent mine-clearing, neutral shipping management or escort, and defenses against missiles, drones, submarines, and mines. This entails multiple aviation assets, expanded surface combatants, dedicated mine units, submarines, replenishment ships, and continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Such an operation resembles a sustained maritime campaign lasting months, structured in layers: outer interception, middle surveillance/defense, inner mine/threat focus. Merchant traffic would use reporting points, inspections, and controlled corridors rather than a static ship wall.

U.S. forces may suffice initially for the narrower mission. Broader considerations include strain on personnel and families, equipment maintenance, munitions and fuel costs, political ramifications, and diverted resources from other global commitments. Without allies, a full-spectrum strait blockade's sustainability is uncertain.

Iran's capabilities complicate operations: fast boats for swarming, anti-ship missiles, kamikaze drones, submarines, and mine-laying, as demonstrated in the March attacks. Iran need not defeat U.S. forces outright; reseeding mines, harassing shipping, and elevating oil/commodity prices achieve strategic effects.

Hertling noted parallels to earlier discussions of ground operations in Iran, where troop requirements were substantial. Here, ship-to-task ratios are similar: isolating Iranian ports is more straightforward, but strait control demands thousands of sailors, dozens of ships, and prolonged efforts in a narrow, contested space.

These operations follow Iran's strait closure declaration and merchant attacks, which prompted low transits and U.S. countermeasures. Naval professionals emphasize obstacles like mines and high merchant volumes, plus the need for partners.

The Strait of Hormuz, 21 miles wide at its narrowest, links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. About 21 million barrels of oil daily—roughly one-fifth of global consumption—pass through, alongside liquefied natural gas. Disruptions risk supply shocks.

U.S. Central Command oversees regional operations from Bahrain. Recent deployments build on existing presence, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.

Allied mine expertise stems from NATO exercises and prior Gulf incidents, like the 1980s Tanker War and 2003-2011 Iraq operations. U.S. mine assets include Avenger-class ships and unmanned systems, but allies fill gaps in forward-deployed capacity.

Trump's announcement came amid reports of Iranian mine-laying linked to ship attacks, though specific attributions remain unconfirmed in public sources. The U.S. has accused Iran of mining, prompting destroyer transits for security.

Interdiction follows international law, such as UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions enforcement. Boarding neutrals requires justification, like suspicion of illicit cargo.

Escalation risks include Iranian retaliation via proxies like Houthis or Hezbollah, or direct strikes. Oil prices have risen 15% since March 4, per market data.

Pentagon officials describe the mission as defensive, ensuring freedom of navigation after Iran's actions. Iran claims its measures respond to U.S. sanctions and Israeli strikes.

Sailors face harsh conditions: 100-degree heat, high humidity, threat vigilance. Deployments strain readiness for Pacific priorities, like China.

Experts stress integration: ISR from satellites, drones, P-8 Poseidons; missile defense via Aegis; anti-submarine via helicopters, sonar.

Historical precedents include Operation Earnest Will (1987-88), escorting 2,500 tankers with minimal losses, and Praying Mantis (1988), retaliating against Iranian mining.

Current dynamics differ: denser threats, hypersonic missiles, swarms. Success metrics: transit restoration, mine neutralization, deterrence.

As operations proceed, U.S. officials monitor ally commitments. NATO statements urge de-escalation; Gulf states like UAE, Saudi Arabia host U.S. forces quietly.

The mission tests sea control amid hybrid threats. Iran's asymmetric tactics counter U.S. superiority, prolonging costs.

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