On May 9, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder announced that the military would be increasing its patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, through which many Iranian vessels travel.

Source: https://theintercept.com/2023/05/24/cia-israel-iran-strike-leaked-documents/

Ricafort said if Iran will become involved in the conflict, it could block the Strait of Hormuz, an important passage for international oil tankers.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/10/11/bsp-january-july-fdi-dips-14-7-on-slow-growth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bsp-january-july-fdi-dips-14-7-on-slow-growth

Separately, a European Union-led maritime organization has “warned of a possibility of an attack on a merchant vessel of unknown flag in the Strait of Hormuz in the next 12 to 72 hours,” said private intelligence firm Ambrey.

Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/shippers-warned-to-stay-away-from-iranian-waters-185454

The announcement came on the heels of the U.S. saying it could soon put guards on commercial ships sailing through the Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz.

Source: https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/08/05/iran-boosts-navy-with-missiles-drones/

The US then shifted the A-10s to monitor the Strait of Hormuz, where they were equipped with weapons capable of targeting Iranian fast attack boats and other maritime targets.

Source: https://krdo.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2023/08/03/us-weighing-proposal-to-put-troops-on-commercial-vessels-to-prevent-iranian-seizures/