ALBAWABA - U.S. diplomatic and military sources revealed that strategic directives issued by the White House to the Pentagon include raising the readiness of US forces securing oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
This involves conducting night and daytime amphibious landing exercises on empty tankers, in preparation for potential targeted operations to thwart any Iranian attempt to seize or disrupt the ships.
The sources told Erem News that the exercises are being conducted in parallel with tanker security operations and under air cover. They focus particularly on empty vessels heading towards the Strait, with the aim of testing rapid deployment capabilities and responding to emergency scenarios that might arise in the maritime routes.
The sources explained that the maneuvers provide US forces with an opportunity to assess the terrain of certain geographical points in and around the Strait and to enhance their readiness for rapid amphibious landing operations.
A U.S. Navy aviation boatswain’s mate directs a F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Force Squadron (VFA) 154 on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is moored in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026. (Photo by Michelle Bir / AFP)
They noted that the objective, in addition to protecting oil shipments, is to prepare for targeted operations that would prevent the Iranian Revolutionary Guard from seizing ships, especially as they leave the Gulf.
An American diplomat close to the National Security Council at the White House also revealed that teams of forces involved in securing tanker passage are conducting amphibious landing exercises aimed at enhancing their operational knowledge of the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding environment.
He added that the exercises include a more detailed study of the current maritime situation and the main entry and exit routes, as well as temporary and alternative routes, enabling the forces to respond quickly to any potential developments on the ground.
