US Denies Escorting Oil Tanker Through Strait of Hormuz After Energy Secretary's Post Sparks Confusion

Confusion over oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz emerged after claims by Chris Wright that the United States Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the waterway. The statement, posted on social media and deleted minutes later, briefly rattled global oil markets before the White House clarified that no such escort had taken place.

In the now-deleted post, Wright said the tanker escort was part of efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to ensure stability in global energy supplies during ongoing military operations against Iran. The claim quickly spread online and triggered market reactions, with oil prices dropping sharply as traders interpreted it as a sign that shipments from the Gulf could soon resume under US military protection.

The White House later contradicted the claim. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a briefing that the US Navy had not escorted any tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, although such an option remained under consideration. Officials later explained that the social media post had been deleted after it was discovered that a video clip had been incorrectly captioned by staff at the Energy Department.

Also Read: India Has Enough Fuel For Now, But Refineries Told to Boost LPG Output Amid Iran War

Iranian authorities also rejected the claim. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said no US naval vessel had approached the waterway and described Wright’s statement as a "falsehood". The episode added to uncertainty surrounding maritime activity in the region, where tensions have risen sharply since the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling about 20 per cent of global oil shipments along with a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports. Since the conflict began, commercial shipping through the passage has slowed dramatically due to security concerns. According to maritime monitoring agencies, several oil tankers have been struck or targeted in incidents in early March, while major producers such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have reduced output as tankers remain unable to exit the Gulf. Before the conflict escalated, an average of around 138 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day.

Also Read: U.S. to Escort and Insure Oil Tankers to Keep Gulf Trade Flowing