Trump Claims Secret Mission Moved 100M Barrels Through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret U.S. military mission moved over 100 million barrels of oil and 200 commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting U.S. control and declaring Iran defeated. However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted to Congress he was unaware of the operation, and independent data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows only about 40 ships have exited. The claims coincide with high U.S. inflation and follow a false March 2026 social media post by the Energy Department. The Strait remains under Iranian control, and peace talks are stagnant.
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Trump Misleadingly Claims Record Oil Flow Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Deal Backlash
President Donald Trump falsely claimed on Truth Social that 19 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, labeling it 'an all time RECORD.' According to the International Energy Agency, average daily flows before the US attacked Iran were 20 million barrels, exceeding Trump's claim. Furthermore, vessel traffic data from Kpler, cited by The New York Times, shows only 109 ships passed through from Saturday to Monday—the highest three-day number since the war began in February but still below the pre-war daily average of nearly 140 ships. The article notes that the strait still faces restrictions, making Trump's specific one-day figure implausible. This incident is part of a broader controversy, as Iran denied commitments the Trump administration had touted as a done deal regarding a nuclear/peace agreement.
The New RepublicTrump Accused of Lying About Oil Shipping Record Through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that 19 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, calling it an 'all time RECORD.' The claim was immediately disputed by data from the International Energy Agency, which showed that before the U.S. attack on Iran, an average of 20 million barrels passed through daily. The New York Times reported, citing maritime data firm Kpler, that only 109 vessels transited the strait over three days—far below the pre-war daily average of 140 ships. Analysts deemed a single-day 19 million barrel figure unlikely given ongoing restrictions. The incident occurred amid a wider political meltdown as Iran denied commitments the Trump administration claimed were finalized. This follows previous disputed Trump claims about secret oil missions through the strait. Separately, the Pentagon requested $80 billion from Congress, mostly to fund the Iran war.
The New RepublicTrump says U.S. secretly moved more than 100 million barrels of oil through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump revealed that the U.S. military secretly helped 200 commercial ships transport over 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming this operation kept crude prices around $90 per barrel instead of surging above $200. The disclosure came after Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted oil exports through the strait are rising. The operation follows the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28, after which Iran retaliated by mining the sea lane and attacking ships, causing the largest supply disruption in history with over 1 billion barrels lost. JPMorgan analysts estimated that around 2 million barrels per day may be moving on tankers with transponders switched off. A defense official clarified that U.S. forces are not escorting vessels but are communicating and coordinating with ships seeking safe transit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the U.S. is responding to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
US Top News and AnalysisUS Energy Secretary Admits False Claim About Iran Strait of Hormuz; Trump Makes Unverified Counter-Claim
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted to Congress on June 10, 2026, that a March social media post claiming the US Navy escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz was false. Wright blamed a staff misunderstanding but took responsibility. The post caused oil prices to plummet and stocks to jump before being deleted. During the same hearing, Representative Suhas Subramanyam pressed Wright on vague claims of rising traffic through the strait. Separately, President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission had moved 100 million barrels of oil through the strait, asserting US control over the waterway. However, the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, peace talks are stagnant, and independent data suggests only about 40 ships have exited, far below Trump's numbers. The administration has a history of misleading statements on this issue, and Trump's announcement coincided with high inflation figures.
The New RepublicTrump Energy Secretary Admits False Post About Iran Strait of Hormuz
Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted to Congress that a March 2026 social media post claiming the U.S. Navy escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz was false. Wright blamed the error on his team misunderstanding his remarks at a Colorado talk, but took responsibility. The post caused oil prices to plummet and stocks to jump before being deleted. During the hearing, Representative Suhas Subramanyam pressed Wright on his claim that traffic through the strait is rising 'meaningfully,' but Wright refused to provide specific numbers. Separately, President Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission had moved 100 million barrels of oil through the strait, a claim Wright said he was 'unaware' of. The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, and U.S.-Iran peace talks appear stagnant despite Trump's assertions of a close deal. The article highlights ongoing tensions and misinformation surrounding the Iran conflict and energy markets.
The New RepublicTrump Energy Secretary Admits False Social Media Post About Iran Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted to Congress on June 10, 2026, that a March social media post claiming the U.S. Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz was false. Wright blamed a team misunderstanding but took responsibility. The post caused oil prices to plummet and stocks to jump before being deleted. Separately, President Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission had moved 100 million barrels of oil through the strait, a claim Wright said he was unaware of. The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, and U.S.-Iran peace talks appear stagnant. The article highlights ongoing tensions and misinformation regarding oil flow in the strategic waterway.
The New RepublicTrump Claims Secret Mission Moved 100 Million Barrels of Oil Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Inflation Crisis
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission resulted in over 100 million barrels of oil being transported through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting U.S. control over the waterway and declaring Iran's military 'defeated' and economy 'lost.' The announcement came as the U.S. economy hit its highest annual inflation rate in three years. Trump later told reporters that 22 ships were moved at night without lights after radar was destroyed. However, the article casts doubt on the claim, noting the administration's history of lying about such operations and citing a U.S. defense official who said the U.S. was coordinating but not escorting vessels. Lloyd's List Intelligence reported only about 40 stranded ships had exited the strait. Before the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran 103 days ago, 20 million barrels of oil transited daily, meaning over two billion barrels have been stalled.
The New RepublicTrump Claims Secret Mission Moved 100 Million Barrels of Oil Through Strait of Hormuz; Energy Secretary Unaware
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission he ordered last month resulted in over 100 million barrels of oil and 200 commercial ships safely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, asserting U.S. control over the waterway. However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright appeared confused when asked about the operation, saying he was 'unaware' of it. Representative Emilia Sykes pressed Wright on whether Trump was lying; Wright deflected, saying Trump was 'talking casually.' Trump later added details about taking out 22 ships at night. The article notes the administration's history of lying about Iran and using war claims to manipulate markets. Lloyd's List Intelligence reported only about 40 stranded ships have exited the strait, far fewer than Trump's claim. Before U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran 103 days ago, 20 million barrels of oil transited daily, meaning over 2 billion barrels have been stalled.
The New RepublicTrump Claims Secret Mission Moved 100 Million Barrels of Oil Through Strait of Hormuz; Energy Secretary Unaware
President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that a secret military mission he ordered last month resulted in over 100 million barrels of oil and 200 commercial ships safely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, asserting U.S. control over the waterway. However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright appeared confused when asked about the operation, saying he was 'unaware' of it. Ohio Representative Emilia Sykes pressed Wright on whether Trump was lying; Wright deflected, saying Trump was 'talking casually.' Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office that U.S. forces had 'taken out' 22 ships at night. The article notes that prior to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran 103 days ago, 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily, meaning over 2 billion barrels have been stalled. Lloyd's List Intelligence reported only about 40 stranded ships have exited, far fewer than Trump's claim of 200. The article suggests Trump may be lying to distract from high inflation and manipulate markets.
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