US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States had successfully helped move more than 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a previously undisclosed military operation, while simultaneously warning that Iran would face a severe US attack if ongoing efforts to secure a peace agreement fail.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Last month, I directed our Great US Military to execute a secret mission to support Oil Tankers and other Commercial Ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market. More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait. This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!"
Trump also warned that the United States was prepared to launch military action against Iran and insisted that any strike would be a response to Iranian actions.
Trump threatens military action if peace deal fails
Addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said the United States would take military action against Iran if negotiations do not produce a satisfactory outcome.
"We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard," Trump told reporters.
He said Washington was responding to Iran's downing of an Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz and indicated that military action could begin immediately.
Despite the threat, Trump maintained that the administration still preferred a diplomatic resolution.
"We want a deal that is meaningful, we want a deal that works," he said.
According to Trump, Iran has already agreed not to obtain a nuclear weapon, although he said the final agreement has yet to be signed.
Trump reveals secret mission in Strait of Hormuz
Hours after speaking at the White House, Trump disclosed details of what he described as a secret US military operation aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered the operation last month.
"Last month, I directed our Great U.S. Military to execute a secret mission to support Oil Tankers and other Commercial Ships through the Strait of Hormuz," he wrote.
The US president said the mission had enabled large volumes of crude oil to reach international markets despite the conflict in the region.
"Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market."
He added that "More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait."
Trump portrayed the operation as evidence of US dominance over the strategic waterway.
"This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!"
Claims linked to global oil prices
Trump claimed that the operation had helped stabilise oil markets by ensuring the continued flow of crude through the strait.
Before the conflict began on 28 February, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies passed through the narrow channel between Iran and Oman. The waterway is a critical export route for producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.
"I'm just announcing today for the first time, but we've been taking out millions of barrels of oil, millions of barrels every night," Trump told reporters.
He claimed the operation had prevented a dramatic surge in oil prices.
"Millions of barrels of oil has come out, and that's why it's at $85-$90 a barrel, instead of $250," Trump said.
The president also referred to a recent operation involving commercial vessels moving through the area.
"We took out the other night 22 ships, late at night with no lights, because they don't have any radar because we blasted the crap out of it," he said, without providing further details.
The world consumes roughly 100 million barrels of oil each day, making the volume cited by Trump equivalent to about a day's global demand.
Energy secretary 'unaware' of oil claim
Trump's comments prompted questions during a congressional hearing where US energy secretary Chris Wright was asked about the president's assertion that the United States had been "taking out" millions of barrels of oil from Iran.
Asked whether he was aware of such an operation, Wright responded: "I'm unaware."
When pressed on whether that meant Trump was being untruthful, Wright defended the president.
"Oh no, I do not think the president is lying. I think the president's talking casually about our efforts to stop the flow of Iranian oil," Wright said.
Earlier in the hearing, Wright had credited increased oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz over the past week to US military efforts to keep maritime traffic moving.
He said the vessels benefiting from those efforts were not Iranian tankers.
"The increase of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz over the last week is the result of using the U.S. military to increase flows of oil" through the waterway, Wright told lawmakers.
Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.
Follow Us On Social Media