US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that Washington will ultimately reassert control over the Strait of Hormuz and restore unhindered freedom of navigation.
“Over time, the U.S. is going to retake control of the strait, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through U.S. escorts or a multinational escort,” Bessent told Fox News, his voice conveying determination.
When asked about the potential role of Yemen’s Houthi movement and the broader security picture in the Red Sea, Bessent downplayed immediate alarm. While the Houthis had fired missiles toward Israel on Saturday, he described those strikes as “Israel-specific,” adding that, with regard to the Red Sea, the group had been “pretty quiet so far” and he expected them to “likely remain that way.”
Bessent also defended the Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil already at sea, arguing that the move did not translate into extra revenue for either country.
Turning to the global oil market, Bessent warned that supply is running a substantial deficit — roughly 10 to 12 million barrels per day — and noted that an International Energy Agency coordinated release of reserves would cover only about 4 million barrels of that shortfall.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted since early March. About 20 million barrels of oil transit the strait daily — roughly one-fifth of the world’s supply — and its partial closure has driven prices higher and raised fears of prolonged economic disruption.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Israel’s Channel 14 on Sunday that the United States is capable of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and that measures to do so are already being implemented on the ground.”,
“US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that Washington intends to regain control of the Strait of Hormuz and to restore free passage for international shipping.
Bessent told Fox News, “Over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through US escorts or a multinational escort.” His remarks painted a picture of coordinated military and diplomatic action to secure one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints.
On the question of Yemen’s Houthi fighters and instability in the Red Sea, Bessent sought to calm concerns. Although the Houthis launched missiles at Israel on Saturday, he characterized those attacks as “Israel-specific,” noting the group had been “pretty quiet so far” in the Red Sea theatre and that he would expect them to “likely remain that way.”
He also addressed the administration’s controversial move to lift sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil already en route, insisting the policy did not provide additional revenue to either nation.
Regarding global petroleum flows, Bessent said the market is facing a deficit of roughly 10–12 million barrels per day. He pointed out that an IEA-coordinated release of reserves would cover only about 4 million barrels of that gap, leaving a significant shortfall.
Since early March the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted; some 20 million barrels a day — about 20% of global oil supply — normally pass through the waterway. Its closure has pushed prices upward and stoked fears of extended economic fallout.
President Donald Trump, in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Sunday, said the US has the capability to take control of the strait and that steps to do so are already underway on the ground.”