U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright deleted a social media post on Tuesday, in which he announced that the U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker along the Strait of Hormuz, drawing fresh skepticism about whether naval operations have commenced in the region amid efforts by the U.S. to restore energy flows currently halted by the conflict with Iran.
"The U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil remains flowing to global markets," Wright posted Tuesday via X. However, the social media post was later removed from his account with no immediate clarification or details provided.
In response, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman, Sardar Nayini, denied Secretary Wright’s claims.
"None of the American ships will even dare to approach the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf, or the Strait of Hormuz during the war," Nayini commented, according to Iranian state news outlet Tasnim News.
Oil prices shot down at the fastest rate in years for a sliver of time following Secretary Wright’s now-deleted post, but unfortunately skyrocketed once again right after.
The confusion around Wright’s statement comes as the Trump administration rolls out a set of initiatives aimed at protecting oil tankers crossing the region.
the Trump administration announced on Mar. 3, plans to provide military protection for oil and gas tankers traversing the maritime chokepoint in response to increased energy prices.
Subsequently, the Trump administration unveiled on Mar. 6, a $20 billion maritime reinsurance program established by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide war-risk coverage for vessels sailing in Gulf waters. The reinsurance plan comes in response to insurance companies raising coverage and canceling coverage for some tankers that travel through the waterway.
Officials said the initiative, coordinated with United States Central Command, could protect losses of up to $20 billion on a rolling basis for vessels carrying oil, LNG, gasoline, jet fuel, and other cargo through the region.
