Trump Says US Military Secretly Escorted Oil Tankers Through Strait Of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States military conducted a secret operation to facilitate the passage of oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, enabling more than 100 million barrels of oil to reach global markets. The statement was made in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, where he described the effort as a covert mission aimed at ensuring continued commercial shipping through the region.

In his post, Trump said he had directed the US military to carry out what he referred to as “Project Freedom,” a mission designed to escort oil tankers and commercial vessels through the waterway. He claimed that the operation resulted in more than 200 ships safely passing through the strait, carrying over 100 million barrels of oil into the open market. Trump also asserted that the United States effectively “controls” the strategic maritime route.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. According to Trump’s account, the mission was launched in early May but was reportedly halted after just one day as part of a broader attempt to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. He further suggested that the operation was intended to stabilize shipping routes amid regional conflict involving the US and Israel.

Also Read: Trump Says Crew Safe Following US Army Helicopter Crash Near Strait of Hormuz

However, parts of Trump’s claims have not been independently confirmed. US media outlets reported later in May that similar escort operations may have resumed after an initial pause. At the same time, the US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, had previously denied reports that the Navy had resumed formal escort or assistance missions for commercial vessels in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a focal point of geopolitical tension, particularly between Western powers and Iran, which has at times threatened to restrict access through the passage in response to sanctions or military pressure. Any disruption in the strait is considered a major risk to global oil supply chains, given that a significant share of the world’s crude oil passes through it daily.

The latest claims by Donald Trump add to ongoing debate over maritime security operations in the Gulf region, with limited official confirmation from US defence authorities. As of now, there has been no publicly released detailed account from the Pentagon or US Central Command substantiating the scale or specifics of the alleged operation described in the post.

Also Read: US Monitors Nearly 1,000 Vessel Crossings In Strait Of Hormuz After Ceasefire