Washington: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CBS television that the administration in Washington considers it necessary for the US military to protect oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary indicated that the US is currently in contact with parties seeking to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers through the strait, without specifying the identity of these parties.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the US armed forces will likely initially provide direct protection for the oil tankers. Wright added, referring to the Iranian side, "But the most important thing is to deny them the ability to threaten these ships."

On March 2, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabari warned that the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil exports pass, would be closed to navigation due to the Israeli-American military operation against the Islamic Republic.

On March 5, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that his country had not closed the strait and did not intend to do so, and that ships and oil tankers had not attempted to transit it for fear of attacks from both sides.

On February 28, the United States and Israel began bombing targets in Iran, including Tehran, resulting in destruction and civilian casualties. Iran, in turn, is launching retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory, as well as targeting American military sites in the Middle East.