U.S. Military Is Quietly Guiding Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz

American forces in recent weeks have helped coordinate the passage of dozens of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S.officials, even as travel through the waterway remains risky amid stalled negotiations to end the war with Iran.U.S.

Central Command has guided around 70 commercial ships through the strait, traveling into and out of the Persian Gulf, in the last three weeks, one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters.The U.S.

officials added that most of the vessels had turned off their transponders to avoid detection when going through the narrow waterway.The officials declined to say what type of vessels were going through and what route they took, but one official indicated that at least one route was not close to the Iranian coastline.Ships passing near Iran without obtaining Iranian approval face the threat of an almost-certain attack by Iranian drones or missiles, U.S.

officials said.Shipping analysts say the U.S.-guided crossings appear to follow routes that are closer to Oman.Before the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, well over 100 commercial ships a day passed through the strait.

So the U.S.-coordinated passages — an average of three a day over the three-week period — do not represent a big comeback for shipping.And because U.S.-guided crossings take place with transponders turned off, known as “dark” passages, shipping analysts say they cannot independently verify how many may have taken place.Still, a steady passage of ships under U.S.

guidance would suggest that some shipowners are willing to take the risk to get in and out of the Persian Gulf, where many vessels have been stranded for weeks, losing money and leaving their crews in trying conditions.The U.S.-coordinated route is also an alternative for shipowners who don’t want to have to get permission from Iran or pay a toll to make the crossing.The conflict with Iran has led to a sharp reductio...