[ June 13, 2026 ]
‘Operation Epic Escort’
Securing the Strait of Hormuz is going to be key for the success of the war effort. If we can get oil flowing freely, U.S. and Israel will have less pressure on them to cease operations (perhaps prematurely). At about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, the Strait of Hormuz is between Iran and Oman and carries roughly 20 million barrels a day and about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas, making it a top-value target when conflict in the region erupts.
U.S. Naval Institute: The U.S. is assessing how to reopen the flow of crude oil tankers and cargo ships through the Persian Gulf as the White House makes resuming regional trade a main priority across the government, the top military advisor to President Donald Trump said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at a press briefing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine said the Pentagon is working on options to get commercial maritime traffic moving. “We’ll look at the range of options to set the military conditions to be able to do that,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine said during a Defense Department briefing. “And then, like we always do with every potential mission, come to the secretary and the president with both what are the resources required, what is the command and control required, and what are the risks? And how do we mitigate those risks? So, we’re looking at a range of options there, and we’ll figure out how to solve problems as they come to us” (USNI).
ADVERTISEMENT
President Donald Trump said he wants to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, saying it would be an “honor” to do so in an effort to help other nations that rely on the vital Middle East waterway.
Trump was speaking with reporters in Florida on Monday, when he was asked about the global energy choke point, which has been disrupted amid back-and-forth attacks between Iran and Israel and the United States. “We’re really helping China here and other countries because they get a lot of their energy from the Straits,” Trump said. “We have a good relationship with China. It’s my honor to do it.”
Iran Moves to Lay Mines in Strait of Hormuz, US Responds
On Tuesday, we were made aware of IRGC efforts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow strait through which about a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through (CNN).
U.S. forces responded quickly. President Trump: I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow! (Truth).
War Secretary Hegseth: At the direction of President Trump, @CENTCOM has been eliminating inactive mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz—wiping them out with ruthless precision. We will not allow terrorists to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage. To the weakened Iranian regime: you have officially been put on notice! (Hegseth). CENTCOM puts the number of vessels destroyed at 16: U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz (CENTCOM).
The Truth Must be Told
Your contribution supports independent journalism
Please take a moment to consider this. Now, more than ever, people are reading Geller Report for news they won't get anywhere else. But advertising revenues have all but disappeared. Google Adsense is the online advertising monopoly and they have banned us. Social media giants like Facebook and Twitter have blocked and shadow-banned our accounts. But we won't put up a paywall. Because never has the free world needed independent journalism more.
Everyone who reads our reporting knows the Geller Report covers the news the media won't. We cannot do our ground-breaking report without your support. We must continue to report on the global jihad and the left's war on freedom. Our readers’ contributions make that possible.
Geller Report's independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our work is critical in the fight for freedom and because it is your fight, too.
Please contribute here.
or
Make a monthly commitment to support The Geller Report – choose the option that suits you best.
ADVERTISEMENT
Quick note: We cannot do this without your support. Fact. Our work is made possible by you and only you. We receive no grants, government handouts, or major funding.Tech giants are shutting us down. You know this. Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Adsense, Pinterest permanently banned us. Facebook, Google search et al have shadow-banned, suspended and deleted us from your news feeds. They are disappearing us. But we are here.
Subscribe to Geller Report newsletter here— it’s free and it’s essential NOW when informed decision making and opinion is essential to America's survival. Share our posts on your social channels and with your email contacts. Fight the great fight.
Follow Pamela Geller on Gettr. I am there. click here.
Follow Pamela Geller on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social. It's open and free.
Remember, YOU make the work possible. If you can, please contribute to Geller Report.
Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spammy or unhelpful, click the ... symbol to the right of the comment to let us know. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
