US Treasury chief Bessent: US will take control of Strait of Hormuz 'over time' via US or multinational escort

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on March 30 that Washington would 'retake control' of the Strait of Hormuz 'over time' and establish 'freedom of navigation' through US or multinational military escort. 'We are seeing more supply as we take control of Hormuz over time,' Bessent told reporters. The statement is the clearest public articulation yet of US long-term strategic objectives for the strait — going beyond temporary military operations to claim enduring control of the world's most critical oil chokepoint. Bessent also characterised the oil market as 'well supplied,' pushing back against concerns about supply disruption from the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20% of global oil supply. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close or mine the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Bessent's declaration signals that the US is treating Hormuz control as a war objective alongside the disabling of Iran's nuclear programme — with potential long-term basing or escort arrangements to follow any ceasefire. Reuters confirmed the statement. TRT World cited Bessent as saying the US would establish 'freedom of navigation via US or multinational escort.'