WASHINGTON _ The Trump administration is advancing a plan to escort or accompany ships through the Strait of Hormuz with international assistance, fearing an increase in attacks on oil tankers by Iranian forces.
White House and Defense Department officials told McClatchy this week that President Donald Trump wants a "coalition" convoy that will secure maritime transit through the vital strait, where a third of the world's seaborne oil passes each day, after six tankers were attacked in May and June.
"The president is really pushing this to get it going _ it's either looking for a coalition to contribute physically or monetarily," one White House official said. "The bottom line is America is the No. 1 producer of oil, and we want to defend global commons and commercial oil going through the Gulf, but we don't necessarily need it. So the president is pushing hard and I think we're making progress."
