Ships Attacked in Hormuz This Week, Chevron CEO Warns of Ongoing Risks

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth has warned that multiple vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked in recent days, highlighting the persistent security risks in the Persian Gulf despite potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. Speaking at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference in Houston on March 23, 2026, Wirth emphasized that the threat remains “very real” for shipowners, even if a diplomatic accord is reached.

“There still has been kinetic activity this week, some of which has been reported in the media — some of which has not,” Wirth told Bloomberg TV on May 29, 2026. He confirmed that “several ships have been attacked” during transit, though not daily, and described the incidents as “multiple.” Chevron, which currently has six vessels under charter in the Persian Gulf, has ruled out paying any tolls to move ships through the strait.

Wirth stressed that shipowners and their insurers must feel confident about safe passage before global oil flows can resume. “Shipowners have to be comfortable sending ships back in after having ships trapped for months and crews stranded for months,” he said.

“They may or may not be willing to move all of their vessels back in.” The ongoing attacks underscore the fragility of energy shipping routes in the region, with potential disruptions to global oil supplies if shipowners remain hesitant to re-enter the strait.