US Navy begins high-risk tanker escort mission in Middle East

Middle Eastern outlets focus on US admissions that the Navy is not ready to escort tankers, framing this as a sign of vulnerability after repeated attacks on shipping. They stress that at least 16 ships have been hit while Washington debates how and when to act, and that any escort mission would be high-risk for US forces. They expect Iran and regional armed groups to test any new escort effort, raising the chance of clashes in the Gulf.

• •US officials concede the military is not prepared yet to run regular tanker escorts through the Strait of Hormuz.
• •Regional coverage links the escort debate to at least 16 ships being hit in recent incidents tied to Iran.
• •Middle Eastern outlets describe any US-led escort mission as a high-risk operation for American sailors.
• •Commentary from the region suggests Iran and allied groups could target escorted convoys to raise costs for Washington.
• •Regional reports question whether the US can sustain a long escort campaign without overextending its forces.