Radio National Breakfast US calls on allies to provide naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz
Mar 15, 2026
Bryan Clark, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former special assistant to the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, brings naval strategy expertise. He discusses how Iran uses shore-based drones, mines and rockets to threaten the Strait of Hormuz. He assesses calls for allied naval escorts, the limits of sea-based responses, and whether landing forces would be needed to secure shipping.
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Land-Based Weapons Let Iran Close The Strait
- Iran exploits shoreline proximity and inexpensive weapons to threaten shipping despite a degraded navy.
- Bryan Clark compares this to Ukraine/Black Sea tactics using drones, missiles and geography to deny access.
Allies Have Incentive But U.S. Request Is Politically Tricky
- Asking allies including China to send ships appeals to their self-interest but is politically awkward if U.S. policy caused the crisis.
- Clark says restoring access will require concerted escorts and attacking emergent threats.
Attrit Threats From Sea And Air While Preparing For Ground Action
- Use sea and air strikes to attrit threats as they appear but expect a whack-a-mole campaign.
- Clark warns only boots ashore can guarantee elimination of launch sites and persistent threats.