US deploys three aircraft carriers to Middle East amid Hormuz tensions

The U.S. has deployed three aircraft carriers to the Middle East for the first time since 2003. The market for “US escorts commercial ship through Hormuz by April 30” sits at 1.8% YES.

The deployment involves the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford, and USS George H.W. Bush, effectively surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Despite this buildup, market odds for a U.S. Navy escort through the Strait of Hormuz have dropped from 7% yesterday and 18% a week ago. Traders are pricing in skepticism that the carrier presence will translate into actual escort operations within the next six days.

The odds for US escorts commercial ship through Hormuz by April 30 remain low. Face value trading volume is $23,204, with actual USDC traded at $1,276. It takes just $732 to move the odds five percentage points, meaning the market is thin and vulnerable to swings from large orders.

Three carrier groups are now in the region, but no official announcement of escort operations or confirmed tanker passage has materialized. The market remains unconvinced. At 2¢, a YES share would pay $1 if resolved, a 50x return. Traders would need to believe confirmation is highly likely within six days to take that bet.

Watch for Pentagon or CENTCOM announcements about escort operations. A statement from Trump or General Dan Caine could move the odds sharply.

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